New Delhi: The Indian government is gearing up to launch a 'Labour Welfare and Employment Index' (LWEI) aimed at ranking states and Union territories (UTs) based on key criteria such as employment levels, labour welfare measures, social security coverage, and productivity. This move is intended to foster healthy competition among regions and improve the ease of doing business across the country.

The introduction of the LWEI will prompt states to address gaps in labour law codification and enhance policy consistency, particularly beneficial for businesses operating across multiple states. The Ministry of Labour is expected to roll out the index in the coming weeks after consultations with state governments, NITI Aayog, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and other relevant ministries.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman might unveil this initiative during her upcoming Budget speech next month, underscoring its significance in promoting uniformity in labour law implementation and bolstering overall labour welfare standards nationwide.

"The LWEI aims to bring about uniformity in labour laws across states, ultimately improving the welfare of workers and enhancing transparency in business operations," a government source reported.

Drawing a parallel with the Labour Rights Index, which benchmarks labour legislation across 135 countries, the LWEI is expected to provide a critical tool for assessing and improving working conditions in India. Currently, 24 states and UTs have implemented rules under all four labour codes, while West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli are yet to formulate rules under any of these codes, according to a recent study by the VV Giri National Labour Institute.

The government's initiative underscores its commitment to streamlining labour regulations and fostering a conducive environment for both workers and businesses alike, marking a pivotal step towards inclusive economic growth and enhanced governance.

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