MNLU Mumbai hosts 1st International Labour Law Conference on New Labour Codes

Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai) organised the 1st International Labour Law Conference on the theme 'New Labour Codes in India: Contemporary Issues, Implementation Challenges and Global Perspectives' at its campus on April 6, 2026.

The conference brought together distinguished academicians, judges, policymakers, labour law experts, professionals, and researchers from India and abroad. Around 70 paper presentations were made on contemporary labour law issues. The event featured an inaugural Session, panel discussion, technical sessions for paper presentations, and a valedictory Ceremony with prize distribution.

The conference was presided over by Vice-Chancellor, MNLU Mumbai, Prof (Dr) Dilip Ukey, who discussed a historically grounded perspective of the labour law reforms in India.

Prof Ukey traced the roots of the present labour law codification to the Second National Commission on Labour, 1999 and observed that the foundation for the consolidation of labour legislations was laid during the tenure of the then Union Labour Minister, Ravindra Varma.

He noted that this long process of labour law reform has now culminated in the enactment of the Code on Wages, 2019, the Code on Social Security, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

Prof (Dr) Dilip Ukey also highlighted the monumental contribution of Dr BR Ambedkar to Indian labour jurisprudence and suggested that MNLU Mumbai should work towards formulating a declaration on labour codes and labour laws as an academic and policy intervention.

Welcoming Justice K Chandru, he described him as a towering figure of social justice who has committed his life's work to equality and labour rights. He referred to Justice Chandru’s contribution to social justice jurisprudence and noted that he remains a powerful symbol of people-oriented adjudication.

Chief Guest, Prof (Dr) SC Srivastava, one of India’s most distinguished scholars in labour law, delivered an insightful and analytical address on the 4 Labour Codes. His speech examined the evolving landscape of Indian labour law, particularly in the context of the changing nature of work, digital platforms, and the rise of gig and platform-based employment.

He underscored the urgent need to revisit and update the legal understanding of employment relationships so that gig workers and platform workers may not remain outside the protective framework of labour law.

Prof. Srivastava also examined the normative and constitutional ambiguities embedded in the definition of 'wages' under Section 2(y) of the Code on Wages, 2019, particularly the first proviso. He observed that while the definitional framework seeks uniformity across labour codes, it may create irrational classifications among similarly placed employees and thereby raise concerns under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. He noted that such ambiguities may create legal uncertainty and additional compliance burdens for employers.

Former Judge of the Madras High Court and Guest of Honour, Justice Chandru, delivered an address that situated labour law within the broader framework of constitutional morality, social justice, caste, and dignity of labour. He stated that while the 4 Labour Codes were projected as heralding a “new era for the nation’s workforce,” the absence of necessary rules, institutional preparedness, and effective implementation mechanisms raises serious concerns about whether they are genuinely transformative reforms or merely a consolidation of old laws with reduced protections for workers.

Justice Chandru argued that labour law in India cannot be understood solely through the lens of industrial relations or economic growth, but must also be examined through the realities of caste, inequality, exclusion, and dignity of labour.

Referring to Dr BR Ambedkar, he observed that in India, not only is labour divided, but labourers themselves are graded through caste, and therefore any labour law discourse that ignores structural inequality remains incomplete.

Justice K Chandru further expressed concern over the manner in which the new Labour Codes appear to expand executive discretion while narrowing access to justice. He referred to concerns relating to delayed rule-making, excessive delegation, tribunalisation, dilution of adjudicatory safeguards, and the increasing dependence on contract and outsourced labour.

In his view, at a time when gig work, platform work, and informal labour are rapidly expanding, the law should have prioritised social security and labour dignity rather than deepening uncertainty.

At a broader level, he emphasised that the labour law debate is not merely about statutory restructuring, but about the constitutional vision of India, where labour law must remain anchored in the values of social justice, equality, welfare, and human dignity.

In a significant intervention, Justice Chandru also referred to the need for empathy and dignity in the treatment of women in workplaces and institutions. Referring to recent judicial observations on women’s rights and menstrual dignity, he stressed that labour jurisprudence must remain sensitive to gendered realities and should respond to contemporary concerns of safety, equality, and bodily autonomy with seriousness and compassion.

Justice K Chandru also referred to the issue of menstrual leave for women and quoted Justice BV Nagarathna. While hearing a case concerning the termination of female civil judges in Madhya Pradesh in December 2024, Justice Nagarathna made strong remarks highlighting the lack of empathy towards menstruating women.

The conference commenced with a welcome address by Conference Convenor and Associate Professor, Dr Jagdish W Khobragade who welcomed the dignitaries, speakers, delegates, and participants.

The conference witnessed around 70 paper presentations across 10 parallel technical sessions, of which approximately 25 presentations were conducted physically on campus and 45 presentations were held in hybrid/online mode.

The panel discussion was organised on the theme 'New Labour Codes: Contemporary Developments, Emerging Challenges and Future of Work.'

The panel was graced by eminent experts including Regional Director, ESIC, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Vikas Kundal, Associate Professor of Law, VIPS, New Delhi, Dr Navjeet Sidhu Kundal, Justice K Chandru; Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Mumbai, Sunita Ladhe Mhaiskar and Professor of Practice, University of Arizona, Dr Vishal Gaikwad among others.

The panel engaged in deliberations on the implementation of the Labour Codes, draft rules, social security, gig and platform workers, labour adjudication, and the future of employment regulation in India.

The conference witnessed enthusiastic participation from several premier National Law Universities, reputed universities, and institutions across the country and abroad. Participating institutions included National Law School of India University, Bengaluru; Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai and Nagpur; Gujarat National Law University; National Law University Odisha; Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow; Faculty of Law, University of Delhi; O.P. Jindal Global University; Symbiosis Law School, Pune; Bennett University; NMIMS; CHRIST (Deemed to be University); Nirma University; XIM University, Bhubaneswar; PES University; ICFAI Law School; The NM Lokhande Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies (NMLMILS) in Mumbai, and international participation from the University of the National Education Commission, Kraków, Poland, among others.

Registrar, MNLU Mumbai Prof (Dr) Prakash Chaudhary congratulated the organising team and appreciated the successful conduct of the conference in the valedictory session.

During the valedictory ceremony, Prof (Dr) Prakash Chaudhary, Dr Pratapsinh Salunke, Prof (Dr) Amol Deo Chavhan, and Prof (Dr) Ragini Kubalkar distributed mementos and certificates to the participants and awardees.

Varun Babu from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Delhi NCR and Gujarat National Law University, Silvassa Campus was awarded both the Best Paper and Best Presenter awards for his outstanding research contribution.

Abhash Yadav and Kamakshi Malhotra were jointly recognised as the Best Runner-Up Presenters for their commendable presentations.

The formal Vote of Thanks was delivered by Conference Co-Convenor, Dr Abhijit More.

In his concluding remarks, Prof Khobragade announced that MNLU Mumbai will be including a Special Edition on Labour Laws in the MNLU Mumbai Law Journal. The special edition journal will encompass the scholarly discussions and deliberations of the conference.

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