Section 69: Repeal and savings
Repeals the four predecessor wage laws and preserves specified actions, rights and instruments through the savings mechanism.
Statutory identity
What the provision requires
Repeals the four predecessor wage laws and preserves specified actions, rights and instruments through the savings mechanism.
Implementation control: Map each historical period to the law then in force; preserve pending claims, notifications and actions only to the extent saved and not inconsistent.
Provision-level reading sequence
- Read each subsection, clause, proviso and explanation in the official text.
- Apply section 2 definitions before testing the obligation or exception.
- Identify the appropriate Government and the applicable Central or State rule.
- Check commencement, section-specific notifications and saved predecessor-law instruments.
- Document the factual test and the evidence supporting the conclusion.
Provision map — subsection, clause and qualification
This map decomposes the section into its operative tests. Use the linked India Code text for exact numbering and wording.
Repealed laws
The Code repeals the Payment of Wages Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Bonus Act and Equal Remuneration Act.
Savings
Prior notifications, appointments, actions, claims and rights may continue only to the extent saved and consistent.
Transition
Split historical periods and pending proceedings accurately.
Subordinate rules
The 2026 Central Rules expressly supersede listed predecessor rules subject to their own saving clause.
Linked Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2026
No direct section citation was detected in the text of the 2026 Central Rules. The section may still operate with another rule, notification or State rule; verify the rule-making clause and current official library.
Authority, form and filing map
Evidence pack
- Gazette/commencement or delegation instrument
- legal applicability memo
- version-controlled source register
Compliance consequence
Apply the specific claims, recovery, adjudication, penalty and appeal provisions; do not infer a penalty solely from the section heading.
Remedy path: identify the claims authority, appellate authority, adjudicating officer, Inspector-cum-Facilitator or criminal court applicable to the issue.
Worked example
A wage claim relates partly to a period before and partly after commencement. The employer must apply the predecessor law and the Code to their respective periods, using the savings clause for pending rights and actions.
Illustrative only. Apply actual wage notifications, contracts, dates, State rules and evidence.
Practical Q&A
Can an employment contract override this section?
Not where the contract reduces a statutory entitlement. Sections 60 and 61 must be considered, including any more favourable award, agreement or contract.
What should be checked before payroll or HR action?
Confirm coverage, appropriate Government, operative rate/order, the exact subsection and proviso, linked rule, evidence, approval and payment/filing deadline.
Primary sources
India Code — exact Section 69 text ↗
India Code — official consolidated Act PDF ↗
Ministry of Labour — Codes, Rules, notifications and FAQs ↗
Last official-source review: 16 July 2026.