Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Karnataka) Rules, 2026

Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Karnataka) Rules, 2026

News  –

• The Karnataka government published the draft Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Karnataka) Rules, 2026 on January 23, 2026.
• These rules, along with the draft Code on Wages (Karnataka) Rules, 2021, aim to operationalise central labour codes within the state.

Key provisions and deadlines for the draft rules include:

• Public Consultation: The government has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders (employers, unions, and HR practitioners) within 45 days of publication.
• Working Hours: Daily working hours are capped at 10.5 hours, with a weekly limit of 48 hours. Certain sectors may be extended to 12-hour workdays if notified.
• Safety and Health: Mandates annual health examinations for eligible workers and the appointment of qualified Safety Officers in specified establishments.
• Digital Compliance: Introduces a common electronic registration and licensing system through portals like Karmika Spandana to promote ease of doing business.
• Worker Welfare: Includes special provisions for inter-state migrant workers, contract labour, and gig/platform workers.

Additional Information – Karmika Spandana

• It is the official online e-Services portal of the Department of Labour, Government of Karnataka.
• It serves as a centralized platform for employers and workers to access various labour-related services, including registrations, licensing, and grievance redressal.

Key Services and Features

• Mandatory Registration: Factories with more than 20 workers and commercial establishments with more than 10 workers must register through the Karmika Spandana Portal or the e-Suraksha portal.
• Licensing: The portal facilitates online registration and licensing for various sectors, including construction, plantations, and general manufacturing, under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Karnataka) Rules.
• Worker Welfare Schemes: It provides access to benefits managed by the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (KBOCWWB), such as:
• Educational Assistance (Kalike Bhagya): Financial aid for the children of registered workers, ranging from ₹2,000 for primary school to ₹30,000 for medical courses.
• Medical Assistance (Karmika Chikitsa Bhagya): Coverage up to ₹2,00,000 for major ailments like heart surgery, kidney transplants, and cance
• Marriage and Maternity Benefits: Financial aid of ₹50,000 for marriage and specific assistance for maternity (Thayi Lakshmi Bond).
• Compliance and Reporting: Employers use the portal to comply with the Karnataka Minimum Wages Rules, ensuring proper wage payments and working hour regulations.
• Grievance Redressal: While “e-Spandana” is a broader public grievance system for districts like Ballari, Karmika Spandana specifically addresses labour-related issues and maintains a dedicated helpdesk at 1902