Context & Key Developments
- The Ministry of Labour and Employment aims to harmonize Labour Code rules across all States/UTs by March 31, 2025.
- The 2024 Economic Survey recognized mental health as a significant factor in national development, highlighting a 10.6% prevalence of mental disorders among adults.
- The treatment gap in India ranges from 70% to 92% (National Mental Health Survey 2015-16).
- WHO’s report on mental health at work identifies risks such as long hours, unsafe conditions, and job insecurity, disproportionately affecting blue-collar workers.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Justice)
Challenges in Existing Labour Codes
Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code (OSHWC), 2020
- Mental health is not explicitly covered under ‘occupational safety.’
- Vague terminology (‘as far as reasonably practicable’) gives discretion to the Central government.
Code on Social Security (CSC), 2020
- Mental stress-related diseases are not recognized as occupational injuries.
- Legal burden on employees to prove a direct link between work and mental illness.
Corporate Initiatives vs. Government Programs
- Companies like Infosys (HALE), Wipro (Mitra), and TCS (EAP) provide mental health support—but mainly for white-collar workers.
- Government’s Tele Manas initiative exists but lacks awareness and accessibility for blue-collar workers.
Way Forward
Legislative Reforms
- A rights and duty-based framework balancing employer expectations with worker mental well-being.
- Expand ‘occupational diseases’ list to include mental health conditions in CSC, 2020.
Workplace Mental Health Integration
- Introduce a tripartite system (employer, worker, mental health expert).
- Regulate work hours to prevent over-exploitation (especially after recent CEO comments on 90-hour workweeks).
Awareness & Accessibility
- Mandate employer awareness programs on mental health.
- Acknowledge blue-collar workers as key stakeholders in mental health policies.
Conclusion
A mental health-inclusive framework is essential to bridge the gap between white-collar and blue-collar workers. The upcoming Labour Code reforms provide a crucial opportunity to eliminate elitism in mental health and ensure holistic worker well-being.
