<span style="color: #222222;">Union Cabinet has approved a bill to merge 13 central labour laws into a single code which will apply to all establishments employing 10 or more workers. <br />''<br />''This consolidation can potentially benefit large sections of the 40-crore workforce. The proposed Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, will enhance coverage of workers manifold. <br />''<br />''Labour minister Santosh Gangwar said the code will be applicable to all business entities dealing in the port and mining sector even if they have only one employee. <br />''<br />''The proposed changes are intended to improve ease of business and giving enhanced protection to employees by mandating certain norms. <br />''<br />''The bill provides for a single licence regime for staffing firms, thus significantly improving their ease of doing business. <br />''<br />''Mr Gangwar said that a comprehensive change in labour law, which the government will bring through legislation, will make appointment letters mandatory. <br />''<br />''The decision comes a week after the Cabinet gave its go-ahead to a labour code on wages, which has the provision of mandatory compliance of minimum wage and timely payment.<br />''<br />''Both the bills will be introduced during the current session of Parliament. </span><br />