Overtime payable at double the normal rate of wages.
Overtime limits to be decided by the Appropriate Government.
Inter-State Migrant Workers (ISMW)
ISMW definition expanded to include self-migrated and directly employed workers.
Employer must declare number of ISMW at the time of registration/license.
ISMW entitled to to-and-fro journey allowance once every 12 months.
Migrant workers get portability of BOCW benefits and PDS ration.
Toll-free grievance redressal helpline provided for ISMW.
National Worker Database
National database created for unorganised and migrant workers.
Helps in skill mapping, employment linkage, and social security delivery.
Victim Compensation
Courts may direct minimum 50% of fine as compensation to injured worker or legal heirs.
Journalists & AV Workers
Definition of audio-visual worker expanded to include digital media, dubbing artists, stunt persons.
Working journalist definition expanded to include electronic and digital media journalists.
Health, Safety & Well-being
Safety Committee mandatory in:
Factories with 500+ workers
BOCW establishments with 250+ workers
Mines with 100+ workers
Safety committees ensure worker participation in safety management.
Universal Safety Coverage
OSH Code extends health, safety, and welfare provisions to all establishments, not just 7 sectors.
Health & Medical Facilities
Every employee entitled to free annual health check-up.
Plantation employers allowed to use ESI medical facilities.
National OSH Advisory Board
Single National Occupational Safety & Health Advisory Board replaces 6 earlier boards.
Board is tripartite: Government, employers, and trade unions.
Board prescribes mandatory national OSH standards for States.
Social Security Fund
Social Security Fund created for unorganised workers.
Fund credited with penalties and compounding amounts.
Ease of Doing Business
Code can be extended to any hazardous establishment even with 1 worker.
All-India license valid for 5 years introduced.
Electronic registration, return, and licensing system mandated.
Registration & Thresholds
Uniform threshold of 10 workers for registration.
One registration replaces six earlier registrations.
Factory Licensing
Factory license threshold raised:
20 workers with power
40 workers without power
Factory construction/expansion approval to be granted within 30 days, else deemed approval.
Inspector-cum-Facilitator
Inspectors renamed as Inspector-cum-Facilitators.
Inspections to be randomized and web-based.
Role focuses on guidance and compliance, not harassment.
Third-Party Audit
Provision for third-party safety audit and certification for start-ups.
Reduces inspector dependency while improving safety standards.
Digitisation
Registers reduced drastically from 84 to 8.
Contract Labour Provisions
Clear definition of core and non-core activities introduced.
Contract labour allowed in core activities under specified conditions.
Applicability threshold raised from 20 to 50 contract workers.
Principal employer responsible for welfare and unpaid wages of contract labour.
Compounding & Decriminalisation
First-time fine-only offences compoundable at 50% of maximum fine.
Serious offences compoundable at 75% of maximum fine.
Several offences decriminalised, shifting from jail to monetary penalty.
Mandatory 30-day improvement notice before prosecution.
Women-Centric Provisions
Women allowed to work in all establishments and all types of work with safeguards.
Night work permitted with consent, safety, and transport facilities.
Crèche facility mandatory for establishments with more than 50 workers.
Crèche facility made gender-neutral (earlier only for women).
MCQs – OSH Code, 2020 (Mines Focus)
Q.1 The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 consolidates how many Central Labour Acts? A. 9 B. 11 C. 12 D. 13 E. 15 Answer: D Solution: OSH Code, 2020 subsumes 13 Central Labour Acts into one Code.
Q.2 Total number of sections under the OSH Code, 2020 is: A. 620 B. 175 C. 143 D. 186 E. 200 Answer: C Solution: Sections reduced from 620 to 143 under OSH Code.
Q.3 Safety Committee is mandatory in mines employing how many workers? A. 50 or more B. 75 or more C. 100 or more D. 250 or more E. 500 or more Answer: C Solution: Mines with 100 or more workers must constitute a Safety Committee.
Q.4 Maximum normal working hours prescribed under OSH Code are: A. 9 hours/day and 54 hours/week B. 8 hours/day and 48 hours/week C. 10 hours/day and 50 hours/week D. 12 hours/day and 60 hours/week E. 8 hours/day only Answer: B Solution: OSH Code prescribes 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week.
Q.5 Overtime wages under OSH Code are payable at: A. 1.25 times normal wages B. 1.5 times normal wages C. 1.75 times normal wages D. Double the normal wage rate E. As fixed by employer Answer: D Solution: Overtime is paid at double the normal wage rate.
Q.6 Eligibility for annual leave with wages is reduced to completion of: A. 150 working days B. 160 working days C. 180 working days D. 200 working days E. 240 working days Answer: C Solution: Eligibility reduced from 240 to 180 working days.
Q.7 Who has the power to fix limits of overtime hours under OSH Code? A. Employer B. Inspector-cum-Facilitator C. Central Government only D. Appropriate Government E. National OSH Board Answer: D Solution:Appropriate Government has flexibility to fix overtime limits.
Q.8 Which of the following is newly introduced under OSH Code, 2020? A. Canteen facility B. Safety committee C. Compounding of offences D. Leave with wages E. Working hours regulation Answer: C Solution:Compounding of offences is a new provision.
Q.9 Minimum percentage of fine that may be paid as compensation to a victim is: A. 25% B. 30% C. 40% D. 50% E. 75% Answer: D Solution: At least 50% of fine may be paid to the victim or legal heirs.
Q.10 Under OSH Code, Inter-State Migrant Workers include: A. Only contractor-employed workers B. Only government-recruited workers C. Only factory workers D. Workers migrating on their own E. Only registered labour Answer: D Solution: Definition expanded to include self-migrated workers also.
Q.11 Inter-State Migrant Workers are entitled to journey allowance: A. Once in 6 months B. Once in 9 months C. Once in 12 months D. Once in 18 months E. Every year without limit Answer: C Solution: ISMW get to-and-fro journey allowance once in 12 months.
Q.12 Which body replaces multiple boards under earlier labour laws? A. Central Advisory Board B. State Safety Board C. National Labour Tribunal D. National OSH Advisory Board E. Mining Safety Council Answer: D Solution: A single National OSH Advisory Board replaces 6 boards.
Q.13 National OSH Advisory Board is of which nature? A. Bipartite B. Judicial C. Tripartite D. Executive E. Autonomous Answer: C Solution: Board is tripartite (Govt, employers, trade unions).
Q.14 Free annual health check-up under OSH Code is applicable to: A. Only contract workers B. Only mine workers C. Only factory workers D. Only hazardous workers E. Every employee Answer: E Solution:Every employee is eligible for free annual health check-up.
Q.15 Uniform threshold for electronic registration of establishment is: A. 5 workers B. 8 workers C. 10 workers D. 15 workers E. 20 workers Answer: C Solution:10 workers is the uniform registration threshold.
Q.16 Factory license threshold under OSH Code (with power) is: A. 10 workers B. 15 workers C. 20 workers D. 30 workers E. 40 workers Answer: C Solution:20 workers with power require factory license.
Q.17 Inspector under OSH Code is redesignated as: A. Labour Officer B. Compliance Officer C. Safety Officer D. Inspector-cum-Facilitator E. Enforcement Officer Answer: D Solution: Inspectors are renamed Inspector-cum-Facilitators.
Q.18 Threshold for applicability of contract labour provisions is increased to: A. 20 workers B. 30 workers C. 40 workers D. 50 workers E. 100 workers Answer: D Solution: Contract labour provisions apply at 50 or more workers.
Q.19 Who is responsible for payment of wages if contractor fails to pay? A. State Government B. Inspector C. Trade Union D. Principal Employer E. Contractor only Answer: D Solution:Principal employer must pay unpaid wages.
Q.20 Crèche facility is mandatory for establishments employing more than: A. 30 workers B. 40 workers C. 50 workers D. 75 workers E. 100 workers Answer: C Solution:More than 50 workers must be provided crèche facility.
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