Shram Samvad: Mega Labour Code Awareness Campaign to Hit 316 Districts
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announces the Shram Samvad awareness campaign to educate industrial clusters on new labour codes across India.
In a massive push to bridge the gap between policy and practice, Union Minister for Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya has announced the launch of “Shram Samvad,” a mega awareness campaign focused on the new labour codes. This intensive initiative aims to reach industrial clusters across 316 districts spanning all 36 States and Union Territories within the next 90 days.
Speaking at the National Conference on Industrial Relations and Labour & Awards 2026 in New Delhi, Mandaviya highlighted that the campaign is designed to ensure that both employers and workers are well-versed in the evolving regulatory landscape. The theme of the conference, “Reengineering Industrial Relations & Workplace Participation in the AI Age,” set the stage for a discussion on how India must adapt to modern economic realities.
Bridging the Divide: Industry and Labour as Partners
A key takeaway from the Minister's address was the call to dismantle the traditional perception that pro-industry policies are inherently anti-labour. Mandaviya urged a shift in mindset, proposing that industry leaders and workers should view themselves as equal partners in the mission of nation-building.
“Wherever there is Samvaad, there is Samadhan,” the Minister remarked, emphasizing that continuous dialogue and consultation among all stakeholders are the only ways to strengthen industrial relations. He stressed that sharing best practices is essential to maintaining harmony in the workplace while ensuring that the interests of both sides progress in tandem.
The AI Revolution and Future Skills
As the world enters the era of Artificial Intelligence, Mandaviya pointed out the immense opportunities and challenges ahead. He underscored the government's commitment to preparing the nation's workforce for a technological shift involving automation and robotics. He specifically referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of training one crore youth in AI skills within a single year to ensure they remain competitive in a changing job market.
Economic Growth and Social Security Milestones
The Minister shared several significant statistics to illustrate India's recent progress:
- Social Security Expansion: India's social security coverage has seen a dramatic rise, growing from just 19% of the population in 2015 to covering 101 crore people—roughly 68% of the population—as recognized by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
- Employment Linkage: Reflecting on India's 7.8% GDP growth, Mandaviya noted that economic expansion is directly fueling jobs. Between 2017 and 2023, every 1% of economic growth translated into 1.11% employment growth, a massive jump from the previous rate of just 0.008%.
The event, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Employers’ Federation of India (EFI), also saw the launch of a new report titled “Employer’s Guide Under New Labour Codes Framework: Fixed-Term Employment in India.” The conference serves as a critical platform for industry leaders and government officials to navigate the complexities of the future of work and the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047.