This edition of The Code on Wages, 2019 (Act 29 of 2019, dated 8-8-2019), published by Commercial Law Publishers (India) Pvt. Ltd., presents the updated bare text of the Code with short comments. The edition incorporates the enforcement of certain provisions with effect from 18-12-2020 vide S.O. 4604(E), dated 18-12-2020, and the remaining provisions with effect from 21-11-2025 vide S.O. 5322(E), dated 21-11-2025.

The Code on Wages, 2019 consolidates and replaces four major labour enactments:

• The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
• The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
• The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
• The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

Along with the principal Code, this edition includes:

• The Wages (Central) Rules, 2026 [G.S.R. 343(E), dated 8-5-2026, w.e.f. 8-5-2026], as corrected vide corrigendum G.S.R. 629(E), dated 15-7-2026
• The Code on Wages (Central Advisory Board) Rules, 2021 [G.S.R. 143(E), dated 1-3-2021, as amended vide G.S.R. 720(E), dated 26-9-2025, w.e.f. 26-9-2025]
• Comparative tables showing corresponding sections of the Code on Wages, 2019 with the earlier Acts
• Latest notifications relating to the Code
• Short comments accompanying the statutory provisions

The Code provides the legislative framework governing minimum wages, payment of wages, fixation and revision of wages, deductions from wages, payment of bonus, equal remuneration, and related obligations and enforcement mechanisms. It also establishes common definitions and regulatory principles applicable across the consolidated wage-law framework.

This edition is particularly suitable for law students, advocates, labour-law practitioners, employers, human-resource professionals, payroll and compliance officers, academicians, and candidates preparing for professional and competitive examinations. By bringing together the updated statutory text, Central Rules, Advisory Board Rules, comparative tables, and latest notifications, it serves as a practical legal reference for understanding and applying India's current wage-regulation framework.