Parliament passes Industrial Relations Code Amendment amid Lok Sabha disruptions

The first fortnight of Parliament's Budget Session was marked by a productive Rajya Sabha, a paralysed Lok Sabha, and a rare constitutional confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition.

The Industrial Relations Code Amendment

The most significant legislative achievement was the passage of the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by both Houses. The amendment builds on the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 — part of the government's consolidation of 29 central labour laws into four codes — and introduces several changes:

• Fixed-term employment: Expanded provisions for fixed-term workers, giving them access to the same benefits as permanent employees but with contract flexibility.
• Trade union recognition: A clearer framework for recognising negotiating unions in establishments with multiple registered unions.
• Dispute resolution: Strengthened the role of industrial tribunals and reduced the timeline for dispute adjudication.

The bill passed the Rajya Sabha after a brief but substantive debate, with opposition members raising concerns about the dilution of workers' collective bargaining rights. In the Lok Sabha, the bill was pushed through without meaningful debate — a consequence of the paralysis that gripped the Lower House throughout the session.

Lok Sabha: Disruption and the No-Confidence Motion

The Lok Sabha was disrupted on nearly every sitting day in February. Opposition parties — led by the INDIA bloc — demanded discussions on:

1. India-US interim trade deal: The opposition alleged that India had made unreciprocated concessions on agricultural tariffs and technology transfer.
2. India-China border situation: The opposition demanded a statement from the Defence Minister on troop positions along the LAC.
3. Adani Group: Renewed demands for a JPC investigation.

When the Speaker declined to allow a debate under adjournment motion rules, the opposition escalated to a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla — a rare and constitutionally significant step that signals a complete breakdown in legislative trust.

The Rajya Sabha Exception

While the Lok Sabha was gridlocked, the Rajya Sabha continued its proceedings without disruptions — a contrast that analysts attribute to the ruling party's need for the Upper House to pass budget-related legislation. Finance Minister Sitharaman, responding to a discussion on the Budget in the Rajya Sabha, cited what she called "record-low unemployment figures" and new data on formal job creation.

Parliament adjourned for a brief recess on February 13. It will reconvene on March 9 for the concluding phase of the Budget Session.