RSS labour wing demands immediate implementation of wage and social security codes

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the labour wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), on Monday (August 25, 2025), demanded the Central Government immediately implement the Code on Wages and the Code on Social Security. The BMS also urged the Centre to convene the Indian Labour Conference (ILC), the highest tripartite body of the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, at the earliest date.

The demands were raised at the BMS’ 159th central executive council meeting, held in Bhopal from August 22-24.

Hiranmay Pandya, BMS president and chair of the meeting, said the wage and social security codes were historical laws, and most beneficial to ordinary workers.

The two codes are among India’s four new labour codes, designed to simplify and consolidate existing laws, which aim to extend benefits to workers employed in both the organised and unorganised sectors. The Code on Wages focuses on ensuring minimum wages and timely payment of wages, while the Code on Social Security broadens coverage for benefits, including Provident Fund, gratuity, maternity, and insurance for all types of workers, including gig and platform workers.

“This is the reason why the BMS continuously insists on immediate implementation. The BMS is opposing many clauses that are against workers’ interests in the Industrial Relations Code, and also the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions,” Mr. Pandya said.

The BMS has requested the Government of India to implement the labour codes in a phased manner, taking the tripartite partners into confidence, he said.

“The ILC was last held in 2015. The ILC is the highest tripartite body under the Labour Ministry, and one of the best contributions of Indian democracy. After 2015, the world of employment has undergone significant changes in multiple dimensions. Technology, digital infrastructure, and digital transition have brought about many changes in social life and the economic scenario. There is an urgency to discuss labour issues in the highest decision-making body,” the BMS chief said.

The Labour Ministry should take the initiative and convene the ILC as early as possible, he said.

The BMS, in its executive council meeting, also welcomed the Haryana government’s decision to regularise contract workers under the Kaushal Vikas Yojana. The organisation also expressed its apprehensions about the facial recognition system introduced by the Union Women and Child Welfare Ministry under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.

“The facial recognition system has presented numerous difficulties for Anganwadi workers nationwide due to several practical problems at the implementation level. It has become another tool for harassing Anganwadi workers by district-level officials,” Mr. Pandya said. The BMS had demanded the government withdraw this lopsided policy, he said.