| Number of Laws | Over 100 central and 200 state laws (e.g., IDA 1947, TU Act 1926) | Four Codes: Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, OSHWC Code |
| Definition of 'Worker' | Narrower, primarily focused on traditional employer-employee relationships | Broader, includes gig workers, platform workers, and inter-state migrant workers under specific codes |
| Strike Provisions | Industrial Disputes Act 1947: Required 14-day notice for public utility services | Industrial Relations Code 2020: Mandates 60-day notice for all industrial establishments, making strikes more difficult |
| Fixed Term Employment | Limited formal recognition, often leading to contractual abuses | Formalized with equal benefits as permanent workers, aiming to reduce contractual exploitation |
| Social Security | Fragmented, primarily for organized sector (EPF, ESI, Gratuity Acts) | Consolidated under Code on Social Security 2020, aiming to extend benefits to unorganised and gig workers |
| Ease of Doing Business | Complex compliance due to multiple laws, inspector raj | Simplified compliance, single registration, single license, single return for all codes |
| Trade Unions | Trade Unions Act 1926: Lower threshold for union recognition | Industrial Relations Code 2020: Higher threshold (75% membership) for sole negotiating union, potentially impacting collective bargaining power |
