Corporate Compliance 16 September 2026
India‑NZ Trade Deal, Gold Surge, Labour Code Shifts
New Zealand's parliament approved legislation to enforce the India free‑trade agreement, while gold and silver prices climb on expectations of the Fed's first rate hike in three years. In India, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh is demanding a doubling of the EPF wage ceiling, and the Diwali bonus of at least 8.33% becomes a legal requirement by 30 Nov. Railways are conducting workshops on the new labour codes, the EPFO has launched a WhatsApp service for PF queries and simplified partial withdrawals, and the updated labour code now mandates 15 days' pay per year of service for laid‑off workers.
- New Zealand backs India FTA – Parliament passed a bill to implement the free‑trade pact with India. Read more
- Gold and silver rally – Prices rise as markets predict the Fed’s first rate hike in three years. Details
- EPF wage ceiling push – Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh urges the government to double the EPF wage ceiling amid rising wages. Source
- Diwali bonus becomes mandatory – Under the Code on Wages, a minimum 8.33% bonus must be paid by 30 Nov 2026. Info
- Railways train staff on labour codes – Workshops launched to clear misconceptions and prepare employees for the new regulations. Report
- EPFO WhatsApp service – Employees can check PF balance, transactions, and claim status via an official WhatsApp channel. Learn more
- EPFO update on partial withdrawals – New framework simplifies partial PF withdrawals; members urged to follow the official WhatsApp channel. Read
- Layoff compensation rules – New labour code mandates 15 days' pay per year of service plus a re‑skilling fund for terminated workers. Details
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