In a landmark effort to address India’s evolving labour landscape, Rightmen Services India Pvt. Ltd., supported by NHPC Limited and THS – The Law Firm, and with Lex Witness as the official media partner, organized a one-day national conference titled “Labour Law Reforms in India – Navigating a Way Forward Against the Headwinds.” The conference took place at Hotel Le Meridien, Connaught Place, New Delhi, on 4^th September 2025.

The conference aimed to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities presented by the four new Labour Codes, enacted by Parliament in 2019 and 2020 but yet to be fully implemented due to varying state preparedness and stakeholder concerns. These reforms are seen as pivotal for fostering inclusive economic growth and ease of doing business, especially amidst the rise of gig and platform workers and the global economic disruptions impacting India.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri R. Venkataramani, Attorney General of India, as the Chief Guest, along with Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice, and Mr. K.P. Mahadevaswamy, Chairman, SCOPE and CMD, NBCC, as Guests of Honour. Shri Alok Kumar, Founder and Managing Partner of THS – The Law Firm, delivered the welcome address.

In his keynote, Attorney General Shri R. Venkataramani emphasized the delicate balance between dignity and progress, reflecting on the philosophical foundations of India’s labour laws. Dr. Manoj Kumar highlighted the meticulous, transparent stakeholder consultation process behind drafting the new Labour Codes, underscoring the importance of state-level capacity building. Mr. Mahadevaswamy discussed the critical role of public sector enterprises in ensuring effective enforcement of labour laws to benefit all stakeholders and serve the nation’s broader interests.

The technical sessions throughout the day featured eminent speakers and stakeholders representing policy bodies, corporate sectors, academia, trade unions, and legal experts. Discussions covered the evolution of labour laws, the journey of the four Labour Codes, and strategies  to overcome implementation barriers. A significant highlight was the candid exchange between corporate leaders and trade union representatives, with unions voicing varying degrees of support and calls for review of the codes, while industry representatives urged swift implementation to drive economic growth.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from Maharatna and Navratna PSUs, including GAIL India, Powergrid Corporation, NHPC, REC, HAL, SJVN, NBCC, BEML, CONCOR, CEL, and leading PSU banks like Central Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank, as well as cooperative sector organizations such as IFFCO and Indian Potash.

The conference concluded with a consensus that an actionable roadmap for the implementation of the Labour Codes must be developed through continuous dialogue among all stakeholders to balance economic imperatives with workers’ rights and welfare. Mr. Vinod Behari, CEO of Rightmen Services India, delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to usher in a new era of labour reforms.