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Contents of the OSH Code

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Section 53. Liability of principal employer for welfare facilities

In force since 21 Nov 2025Chapter XI — Special Provisions for Contract Labour and Inter-state Migrant Worker, Etc.Part I — Contract Labour

Official text

Welfare facilities specified under section 23 and section 24 shall be provided by the principal employer of the establishment to the contract labour who are employed in such establishment.

Source: The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, Act No. 37 of 2020 — Gazette of India, p. 42 of the PDF. Open our copy at p. 42 · official download · all sources

What the Labour Ministry says

  • “It is the responsibility of the principal employer under Section-53 to provide the welfare facilities prescribed under Section-23 & 24 to the contract labours.” item 7, FAQ on the OSH Code, 13 Mar 2026: official copy · our copy

This is the Ministry's explanation, not the law. Its FAQs and Handbook say the Codes prevail.

Explained simply in: Contract labour guide

Compliance obligations under this provision

Commencement In force since 21 Nov 2025

Notification wording (1)
  • S.O. 5321(E), in force from 21 Nov 2025: “the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of November, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Code, shall come into force”