The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, vide Office Memorandum in File No. 12/2/2023-JCA dated 3rd July, 2025, has released the list of Gazetted Holidays and Restricted Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2026, with specific guidelines for offices inside and outside Delhi/New Delhi. (Refer to the document attached for more details)
In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 213(1) of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Maharashtra promulgated the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (RoE and CoS)(Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 [Ordinance No. VIII of 2025], dated 01st October, 2025, further amending the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017. The key amendment changes the manpower threshold for applicability of the provisions of the Act and also changes the statutory threshold for spread over and quarterly overtime limit. (Refer to the attached document for details.)
ESIC, vide circular no. P-11/14/Amnesty Scheme/2023-Rev.II dated 24.07.2025, has introduced the New Amnesty Scheme 2025, which provides an opportunity for withdrawal of prosecution cases filed u/s 84 and 85 of the ESI Act and court cases u/s 75 and 82 of the ESI Act and Article 226 up to 31.03.2025, subject to the specified terms and conditions. The scheme shall be in force from 01.10.2025 to 30.09.2026. (Refer the document attached for more details of the scheme)
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 and Section 5(1)(b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Government of Bihar, vide S.O. 169 dated 24th September, 2025, has introduced a formula for calculating Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for the different categories of employees employed in the scheduled employments. The payment of variable Dearness Allowance based on the average index of January - June, 2025 will be payable at the revised rates from 1st October, 2025. Thereafter, the change in the amount of Variable Dearness Allowance shall be revised every six months based on the All India Consumer Price Index.
In pursuance of the recommendation of the Bihar Minimum Wages Advisory Board and in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3(1)(b) read with Section 5(2) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Government of Bihar, vide S.O. 163 dated 24th September, 2025, has directed that the minimum wages for the Supervisor/Clerical category of workers shall be fixed equal to that of skilled labourers, effective from 1st October 2025.
Ministry of Labour and Employment, vide F.No.1/6(2)/2025-LS-II dated 25.09.2025, has revised the rates of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for various scheduled employments, effective 01.10.2025, based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index. (Refer to the document attached for more details)
The Government of Uttar Pradesh, vide its Notification No. 386 Enforcement-(M.W)/15 dated 26(29).09.2025, has revised the minimum rates of wages for 74 scheduled employments w.e.f 01.10.2025 to 31.03.2026.
In order to promote Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and under Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP), the Labour Department of Haryana, vide circular Endst. No. 11/66/2025-4 Lab dated 08.09.2025, has announced for exemptions for intervals of rest under Section 55 and working hours for adults under Section 65 of the Factories Act, 1948, to be provided online through an auto-mode system only based on self-certification at the departmental website www.hrylabour.gov.in, in the manner and procedure available therein.
The Government of Kerala, vide G.O.(P) No.81/2025/LBR [S. R. O. No. 1136/2025] dated 25.09.2025, has notified the Kerala Factories (Amendment) Rules, 2025, further to amend the Kerala Factories Rules, 1957 substituting rules 108 to Rule 111. (Refer to the document attached for more details)
The Government of Goa, vide notification no. VI/FAC-6(L-1)Part-1/IFB-25-26/1663 dated 11th September, 2025, notified the Goa Factories (Eighteenth Amendment) Rules, 2025. Key amendments include safeguards for women and exclusion of pregnant/lactating women in hazardous processes. (Refer to the document attached for more details)