Section 6 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020 introduces a sweeping mandate: Every employer must issue an appointment letter to every employee. This applies to factories, mines, plantations, and even contract labour.

1. Who Needs an Appointment Letter?

Previously, formal letters were often skipped for casual, badli, or temporary workers. Under the new Code, this is illegal. You must issue a letter to:

• Permanent Employees
• Fixed Term Employees
• Probationers
• Contract Labour (by Contractor)
• Daily Wagers

2. Mandatory Clauses Checklist

A generic offer letter is not enough. The Code prescribes specific details that must be included:

3. The “3-Month” Deadline

If you have existing employees who were never issued a formal letter (common in MSMEs or for older staff), the Code mandates that you must issue them a letter within 3 months of the Code coming into force.

4. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to issue an appointment letter is a punishable offence. It hinders the employee’s ability to prove employment and claim social security, making authorities particularly strict on this provision. Fines can range up to ₹50,000 for the first offence.