New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The recent rollout of the Labour Codes has significantly improved the conditions for India's bidi and cigar workforce by establishing a more robust framework for wage protection, social-security benefits, and workplace safety, according to a government statement released on Wednesday.

This sector has now transitioned to a more formalized structure, providing a stronger regulatory base that enhances job stability for workers throughout India. Previously, under the Bidi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act of 1966, the workforce operated with limited protections.

A typical workday could stretch up to nine hours, with a maximum of 48 hours per week. To qualify for paid annual leave, a worker needed to fulfill 240 days of work within the year, and there were no mandates for medical check-ups.

However, these inadequacies have been rectified in the new Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020, which standardizes the workday to eight hours while maintaining the 48-hour weekly limit.

The note emphasized, “It requires that overtime be compensated at a rate of double the regular wage.”

Under the updated labour code, entitlement to paid annual leave is now granted after just 180 days of work per year, making the provisions more favorable for employees. Furthermore, workers are entitled to complimentary annual health check-ups.

The new Labour Codes not only provide enhanced financial security for bidi and cigar workers but also mitigate risks and promote a more dignified and stable livelihood in the sector. Notably, no employer is permitted to pay below the minimum wage set forth by the government.

Previously, minimum wage regulations applied solely to scheduled employees; now, they encompass all workers. The government is tasked with reviewing or updating minimum wage rates at intervals not exceeding five years.

The government will establish minimum wage rates for various timeframes, such as hourly, daily, or monthly, while considering the worker's skill level and the complexity of their tasks.

Floor wages will be established by the Central government, taking into account the basic living requirements of employees, including essentials like food and clothing. The central government will regularly update these floor wages.

This initiative aims to reduce labor migration across states due to wage discrepancies. Additionally, employers are now required to compensate workers at least double their standard wage for any hours worked beyond the normal schedule.

Another critical provision under the new labour code is the timely payment of wages.