Govt. Appoints Gazetted Officers Under OSHWC Code 2020

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued a notification appointing gazetted officers as designated authorities under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020 across various jurisdictions.

The appointments relate to establishments where the Central Government is the appropriate Government and are intended to strengthen administration and implementation of the Code.

1. Appointment of Gazetted Officers as Designated Authorities

The Ministry has appointed gazetted officers, including Regional Labour Commissioners (Central) and Assistant Labour Commissioners (Central), as designated authorities for exercising powers and discharging functions under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

These officers will act within their notified territorial jurisdictions for matters arising under the Code.

2. Jurisdiction-Wise Allocation of Powers

The notification specifies jurisdiction-wise allocation of designated authorities across different regions, States and Union Territories to ensure decentralised administration and effective enforcement under the OSHWC framework.

2.1 Pan-India Jurisdiction for New Delhi Authorities

Regional Labour Commissioners (Central) and Assistant Labour Commissioners (Central), New Delhi, have been granted jurisdiction across India for matters covered under the notification.

These authorities will exercise powers in establishments falling under the Central Government’s jurisdiction nationwide.

2.2 Karnataka Jurisdiction for Bengaluru Region Officers

The notification further provides that officers in the Bengaluru region shall exercise jurisdiction over establishments situated in Karnataka.

This territorial allocation is intended to facilitate region-specific implementation and administrative efficiency.

3. Functions of Designated Authorities

The appointed designated authorities will perform functions relating to implementation, compliance administration and regulatory oversight under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

Their responsibilities may include:

• Exercise of powers under notified provisions of the Code
• Compliance monitoring and enforcement
• Handling matters within territorial jurisdiction
• Coordination with employers and establishments governed by the Code
• Administrative and regulatory functions under occupational safety and labour welfare provisions

4. Applicability to Central Government Establishments

The notification applies to establishments where the Central Government is the appropriate Government under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

The designated authorities will exercise powers according to their respective territorial and administrative jurisdictions.

5. Objective of the Notification

The notification aims to operationalise jurisdiction-specific administrative and enforcement mechanisms under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

By appointing designated authorities across regions, the Ministry seeks to strengthen compliance oversight, improve administrative efficiency and ensure effective implementation of occupational safety and labour welfare provisions across India.