Odisha labour minister participates in high-level meeting on labour reforms

Centre aims for inclusive Labour reforms to empower India’s workforce

Bhubaneswar Sept 2025 : A high-level national consultation meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, focusing on key labour reforms aimed at ensuring dignity, security, and opportunity for the nation’s workforce. The meeting saw active participation from multiple states, including Odisha, whose delegation was led by Labour and ESI Minister Sri Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, along with Principal Secretary Smt. Chithra Arumugam and Labour Commissioner Sri Indramani Tripathy.

In his address, Dr. Mandaviya reaffirmed the Central Government’s commitment to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, a developed India by the centenary of independence, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that good governance is a cornerstone of this national aspiration — and at the heart of good governance lies a sound, inclusive, and transparent regulatory framework. To this end, the Central Government, in close coordination with State Governments, is working towards a series of transformative reforms aimed at improving the lives of India’s labour force — the true nation builders.
Among the key areas of reform discussed was the proposal for a single registration process for establishments, which would reduce red tape and enhance ease of compliance. The meeting also explored extending the validity period of licences and enabling automatic renewals, significantly reducing the burden on businesses while ensuring workers’ protections remain intact.

Dr. Mandaviya also placed strong emphasis on the need to increase female participation in the workforce through inclusive policies and safe working environments. He advocated for the mandatory issuance of appointment letters to formalise employment relationships and ensure workers are aware of their rights and entitlements.

Digital transformation was another central theme. The Minister highlighted the importance of leveraging platforms such as the National Career Service (NCS) and e-Shram, positioning them as vital components of India’s digital public infrastructure for employment and social security. He proposed a principle of “once covered, always covered” for insured workers, ensuring continuous coverage without bureaucratic hurdles, even in the case of job transitions or mobility.

Legal reforms were also discussed, including the compounding of offences under Section 14 and the introduction of new provisions to rationalise penalties and encourage compliance through reform rather than punishment.

Odisha’s Labour and ESI Minister Sri Ganeshram Singhkhuntia welcomed these proposed reforms, stating that they would significantly benefit the “real labourers” — those who are silently building the nation with their hands and hard work. He reiterated Odisha’s support for the reform process and stressed the need for these changes to reach workers at the grassroots level, in both rural and urban settings.

The meeting concluded with a strong appeal from Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, urging all states and union territories to share their reform-oriented ideas in a timely manner. He also emphasised the importance of equal and active participation from the Union Government, State Governments, and local administrations, highlighting that collaborative effort at every level is essential for the successful implementation of labour reforms.

Saurav Pradhan,
PRO, Labour & ESI Dept