Government strengthens labour protections through new compliance framework. The Centre has introduced mandatory wage payment and social security contribution requirements for all firms bidding on government contracts across Central Ministries, Departments, and CPSEs. The reform addresses longstanding issues including delayed wages, unpaid provident fund contributions, and contractor accountability gaps. Defaulting firms now face financial penalties, debarment, and blacklisting. Drawing and Disbursing Officers must verify monthly compliance. The framework operationalises worker safeguards under four Labour Codes with strict enforcement mechanisms. All wage payments require electronic bank transfers for transparency. Daily workers must be paid by shift end, weekly workers before holidays, fortnightly workers within two days, and monthly employees within seven days of the succeeding month.
