New labour code to curb exploitation: Minister

Lucknow: Minister of state for social welfare (independent charge) Asim Arun on Friday said under the new labour code and the formation of the ‘Outsource Sewa Nigam’, strict rules have been passed to provide holidays, regulate working hours and wage payments for employees.Speaking at the Workers’ Dialogue 2026 held in Lucknow to mark International Labour Day, Arun said now, exploitation of employees will no longer be possible and their rights have been given legal protection.“All departments should issue ID cards to outsourced employees within 15 days. Arrangements should also be made to provide annual certificates and rewards to those who perform better at work,” he said.Minister of state for social welfare Sanjeev Kumar Gond said govt was providing workers with facilities like labour cards and wage hikes, while Atal Residential Schools had been built in 18 districts for their children.Among issues that were discussed during the event were extensive reforms in leave rules and a new wage structure formed in accordance with the new labour codes of the Govt of India.Through the Outsource Corporation, which came into effect from April 1, 2026, govt aims to eradicate exploitation by middlemen and has fixed new minimum wages of Rs 11,000 for unskilled workers and Rs 13,500 for skilled workers.