State govt drafts new labour rules to boost worker safety

Panaji: State govt has drafted the Goa Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Labour) Rules, 2026, aimed at strengthening worker safety, protecting labour rights and simplifying compliance for businesses by streamlining multiple labour laws.

The draft rules, aligned with central labour laws, have been placed in the public domain, with govt inviting objections and suggestions within 30 days before finalisation.

Under the proposed rules, registration fees for establishments will range from Rs 3,200 for units employing up to 10 workers to Rs 1.2 lakh for establishments with over 401 employees.

The draft mandates that employers report fatal accidents or dangerous occurrences within 24 hours to the chief inspector-cum-facilitator, the nearest police station and the victim’s family members.

The rules also propose safeguards for women employees working before 6am or after 7pm, including mandatory transport facilities, well-lit workplaces and CCTV surveillance near toilets, washrooms and drinking water facilities.

Employers must ensure safe, secure and healthy working conditions and comply with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.

The draft further states that contractors seeking licences should not be undischarged insolvents or have criminal convictions in the past two years involving imprisonment exceeding three months.