Inter State Migrant Worker Provisions

The Labour Codes 2025 introduce strong protections for inter state migrant workers including benefit portability journey allowances registration processes equal working conditions and improved housing and welfare facilities. This article explains all employer obligations to help HR teams stay fully compliant.

Introduction

Inter state migrant workers often face challenges related to benefit access documentation inconsistencies portability issues and lack of welfare support. The Social Security Code and the Occupational Safety and Health Code address these gaps with a unified framework that guarantees essential protections for all migrant workers, whether directly employed or through contractors.

Under Labour Codes 2025 organisations must ensure proper registration of migrant workers, provide journey allowances, maintain digital records, enable benefit portability, ensure equal working conditions, and offer welfare facilities including accommodation where applicable. This article gives HR teams a clear view of the requirements and the updates needed in internal processes.

Key Changes at a Glance

• Mandatory registration of inter state migrant workers
• Portability of social security and welfare benefits
• Journey allowance for travel to home state
• Equal pay and working conditions
• Digital records and online updating
• Welfare and accommodation provisions
• Strengthened contractor accountability

Detailed Explanation of Inter State Migrant Worker Provisions

1. Mandatory Registration of Migrant Workers

Employers and contractors must register inter state migrant workers digitally.
Details include:

• Name and ID
• Permanent address
• Skill category
• State of origin
• Nature of work

Contractors must also maintain accurate worker lists.

2. Portability of Benefits

The Codes ensure seamless access to:

• Ration benefits
• Social security schemes
• Welfare board benefits
• Health facilities

Workers can receive these benefits anywhere in India regardless of their home state.

For broader social security context read Social Security Code Explained.

3. Journey Allowance

Employers must provide a journey allowance for travel between the worker’s home state and the place of employment at prescribed intervals.

This provision aims to support workers who travel long distances for employment.

4. Equal Working Conditions

Migrant workers must receive the same:

• Wages
• Working hours
• Leave
• Safety conditions

as other workers performing similar roles in the establishment.

To review related working hour rules refer to Working Hours Leave and Overtime Rules.

5. Accommodation and Welfare Facilities

Where required the employer must provide:

• Housing or suitable accommodation
• Clean drinking water
• Restrooms
• First aid
• Canteen facilities

These welfare requirements fall under the Occupational Safety and Health Code.

6. Digital Records and Online Updates

All migrant worker details must be maintained through digital registers including:

• Personal details
• Attendance
• Wages
• Welfare benefits availed

This ensures transparency and helps labour authorities monitor compliance.

7. Contractor Responsibilities

Contractors must ensure:

• Proper registration of workers
• Accurate wage payment
• Safety compliance
• Accommodation arrangements where applicable

For related contractor rules see Updated Contract Labour Rules.

Migrant Worker Protections

HR Checklist for Immediate Action for Migrant Worker Compliance

• Register all inter state migrant workers digitally
• Ensure wage parity with local workers
• Provide journey allowance at required intervals
• Maintain digital records of benefits and attendance
• Review accommodation and welfare facilities
• Audit contractor compliance and documentation
• Train site managers on migrant worker rights

Explore HRStop Today

HRStop helps organisations manage migrant worker compliance with digital worker registrations contractor documentation benefit tracking journey allowance logs and multi location dashboards.

How HRStop Helps

• Digital migrant worker registry
• Contractor compliance management
• Welfare benefit tracking
• Journey allowance documentation
• Attendance and wage monitoring
• State wise reporting and analytics

Related Articles

• Social Security Code Explained
• Working Hours Leave and Overtime Rules
• Updated Contract Labour Rules
• Occupational Safety and Health Code Explained
• India’s New Labour Codes 2025 Overview

Conclusion

The Labour Codes 2025 create a more secure and equitable framework for inter state migrant workers by ensuring benefit portability safety welfare accommodation and equal working conditions. HR teams must update documentation contractor processes and welfare facilities to maintain compliance.

FAQs

Do migrant workers need to be registered digitally
Yes registration is mandatory.

Is journey allowance compulsory
Yes employers must provide journey allowance at prescribed intervals.

Are migrant workers entitled to equal pay and working conditions
Yes they must receive the same wages and conditions as other workers.

Are welfare facilities required
Yes accommodation drinking water restrooms and first aid must be provided where applicable.

Do contractors have separate obligations
Yes they must ensure registration wage payment and safety compliance.