By Chandan Singh | New Delhi

New Delhi: Delhi Labour and Employment Minister Kapil Mishra on Thursday welcomed the Centre’s decision to introduce annual health check-ups for workers aged above 40 under the new Labour Code, calling it a major step towards strengthening social security and healthcare support for labourers.

Addressing the launch event at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, the minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for the initiative.

Mr Mishra said workers above 40 belonged to a sensitive age group where early screening and timely diagnosis could help prevent major health complications and reduce financial hardship for families.

Highlighting labour reforms being implemented in the national capital, Mr Mishra said Delhi would emerge as a “role model” in executing the Centre’s labour welfare initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. He added that the Delhi Government was fully prepared to implement all labour codes at the earliest.

The minister said the Chief Minister regularly reviews progress through monthly meetings with the Labour Department and the Construction Workers Board to ensure welfare measures are effectively delivered.

Mr Mishra also announced major changes in labour regulations for women workers. He said legal restrictions preventing women from working night shifts had been removed, allowing them to work during night hours across various establishments in Delhi.

In another key reform, the minister stated that, except liquor shops, all other establishments in Delhi could now remain open round the clock. He said several procedures linked to permissions from police, municipal bodies and other departments had been simplified under the Ease of Doing Business framework, making it easier to operate businesses in the capital.

Referring to the changing approach towards workers in India, Mr Mishra said there was once a time when the builders of the Taj Mahal were allegedly punished after construction, whereas today workers involved in building the Shri Ram Temple were being honoured under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He also referred to the Prime Minister washing the feet of sanitation workers during the Kumbh Mela.

As Tourism Minister, Mr Mishra further said that high booking charges at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium had earlier discouraged large events in Delhi. Following intervention by the Centre, the revised rates would help attract more international artists and events to the city, he added.