On Tuesday, the union cabinet approved amendments to the labour codes on social security, industrial relations, and occupational safety and health (OSH), which may include pension and medical gains to gig workers, government officials said.

The codes will be moved in the future monsoon session of Parliament. It will allow states to introduce vital changes to their labour laws framework, such as rules for frugality, through notifications.

“Codes have been approved,” a government official privy to the development said.

The codes will clearly define areas and conditions in which fixed-term employment will be allowed.

According to a report, The codes prohibit strikes in establishment if prior notices are not provided. This will allow government to reject or modify awards which would be passed by Industrial Tribunals and the National Industrial Tribunal. It violates the principle of separation of powers between government and the tribunal.

The proposed amendments clearly defines the ‘appropriate authority’ on occupational safety and removal of distinction between term employees and workers in the Industrial Relations Code, officials said.

The proposed IR Code also suggests special provisions for layoff and frugality in establishments employing 100 or more workers or such number as notified by the appropriate government while strengthening the health facilities for workers at factory premises, they said.

These changes will be helpful to push through labour law reforms that have been recently introduced in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. These changes also allow businesses to extend shift hours to 12 hours from eight.

The central government is working to condensed 44 central labour laws into four broad codes on wages, industrial relations, OSH and social security.

Last year, In Lok Sabha these codes were introduced and sent for analysis of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour.

The bill attempts to substitute three labour laws namely, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947; the Trade Unions Act, 1926; and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.