Worker Safety Code Bill approved by the Cabinet

The Union Cabinet has approved the Code of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019. The features of the bill are:

• The bill is applicable to business entities where more than 10 workers are employed and it will be applicable to mines and docks that employ even one worker.
• The bill seeks to merge 13 labour laws into one code on occupational safety, health and working conditions.
• The Bill is second of four proposed codes that aim to merge 44 labour laws. Code.
• The code is applicable to all trades, including IT establishments and the service sector.
• The bill makes it mandatory for employers to provide free annual medical check-ups.
• The multiple also proposes to replace committees under five labour Acts with the National Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board.
• The code also frames rules for women workers working night shifts. Women would be permitted to work beyond 7 p.m. and before 6 a.m. subject to the safety, holidays, working hours or any other condition as prescribed by the appropriate government in respect of prescribed establishments but only after taking their consent for night work.
• The bill also envisages uniform threshold for welfare provisions such as crèche, canteen, first aid and welfare officer.
• The bill states that part of the penalty for contravention of provisions leading to death or serious bodily injury to any person may be given to the victim or the legal heirs of the victim by the court.

When approved by the parliament the Labour safety code bill is expected to benefit 40 crore workers in informal sectors.