NLU Jodhpur Calls For Papers For International Symposium On Labour & Employment Laws

The Centre for Research in Labour and Employment Laws (CRLEL), National Law University Jodhpur and the National Labour Law Association (NLLA), New Delhi are organising an International Symposium on Labour & Employment Laws on 15–16 November 2025 at NLU Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The symposium is being held in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) India, the Indian Industrial Relations Association (IIRA), New Delhi, and the Centre for Transparency and Governance (CTAG), NLU Delhi.

About the Symposium

The recent amendments in labour and employment laws at both the Central and State levels aim to improve ease of doing business. The enactment of four Labour Codes by the Central Government, consolidating 29 existing legislations, is yet to be fully implemented due to the subject falling under the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Consequently, several States have enacted their own laws and issued government orders.

This Conference aims to explore:

• The impact of new labour laws on workplace rights and conditions of work.
• Ways to safeguard existing rights amid legislative changes.
• Emerging challenges in the informal economy, gig work, and platform-based employment.
• The role of digital technology in spreading awareness and improving enforcement of labour laws.

Conference Objectives:

• Examine the interplay of Central and State labour laws with Constitutional provisions.
• Discuss the evolving informal economy and gig work regulations.
• Analyze the use of ICT/digital tools in law enforcement and compliance.
• Generate new insights through papers, panel discussions, and expert deliberations.

Theme and Sub-themes

Theme: Labour Laws: Reform, Enforcement, & Compliance in Digitalised India

The symposium seeks to examine the transformative labour law reforms in India, the challenges posed by the informal, gig, and platform-based economy, and the impact of digitalisation on enforcement, compliance, and workplace rights.

Sub-themes

• Constitutional, Legislative, and Customary Rights
• Central and State Labour Law Reforms and Their Impact on Workplace Rights
• Informal Economy, Gig Workers, and Their Rights
• Industry 4.0, Automation, Reskilling, and Jobs
• Migrant Workers – Mobility, Portability of Benefits, and Protection Framework
• Universality of Social Protection: Freebies vs. Legal Rights
• CSR, Welfare, and Collective Bargaining – Role of Trade Unions
• Industrial Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Regulatory Bodies and Law Enforcement
• Law Avoidance – Inflated Designations and Wage Stealing
• Labour Law Compliance in SMEs and Startups
• Globalisation, Supply Chain, and Emerging Geopolitical Situation
• International Labour Standards & Standard Setting (e.g., Gig Workers)
• Gender Equity, Inclusion, and Workplace Harassment

Submission Categories

• Long Articles: 5,000–8,000 words
• Essays: 3,000–5,000 words
• Case Notes / Legislative Comments: 1,500–2,500 words

Abstract & Full paper submission process

• Abstract: minimum 250 words with 3-5 keywords; submission via email.
• Cover letter: Author bio & Institutional affiliation in separate document.
• Formatting & style: A4, Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing, footnotes in font 10; Bluebook 21st Edition.
• Review: Blind peer review for abstracts; selected abstracts invited to submit full paper; peer review for final selection for publication.
• Publication: Selected papers to be considered for publication in an Edited Book (ISBN).

Submission Guidelines

• Abstract / Proposal (300–500 words): Submit a 300–500 word abstract/proposal by email that concisely summarises the paper's arguments and includes 3–5 keywords. Name the file “Abstract (Name of the Article)” and attach the Word file to the submission email.
• Cover Letter: Also email a separate Word document titled “Cover Letter” with the author(s)' autobiographical details: name, academic and professional qualifications, institutional affiliation, current designation/position, and full correspondence address.
• Manuscript page setup: Prepare manuscripts on A4 paper in MS Word, written in British English, using Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, justified alignment, and 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Footnotes & pagination: Use footnotes in Times New Roman, 10 pt, single-line spacing. Number all pages consecutively, including tables and figures. Only .doc (Word) submissions will be accepted.
• References & citation style: All references must follow the Harvard Bluebook, 21st Edition.
• Deadlines: Authors must strictly meet the prescribed deadlines; no extensions will be granted.
• Full paper length & format: The full paper must be a single-column document with justified margins on both sides, and total length 5,000–8,000 words (inclusive of footnotes).
• The Editorial Board may edit, modify, shorten, or supplement submissions for the original publication or future editions/anthologies, provided the substance and meaning are not materially changed.
• Authors are solely responsible for ensuring reference/citation accuracy and that the work contains no copyright-infringing, defamatory, obscene, unlawful, or otherwise objectionable content.
• Copyright is jointly held by the author(s) and the Publisher. By submitting, authors grant the Publisher a licence to publish and affirm ownership of copyrights. To republish elsewhere, authors must obtain prior permission from the Editorial Board and acknowledge first publication in the symposium proceedings.

Event timeline

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 1 October, 2025
• Notification of Abstract Selection: 5 October, 2025
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: 1 November, 2025
• Notification of Paper Selection: 5 November, 2025
• Registration and Payment Deadline: 7 November, 2025
• Symposium Dates: 15-16 November, 2025

Registration Process

• Step 1: Abstract Submission

The acceptance of the paper will be based on abstracts. All submitted abstracts will undergo a blind review. An abstract/proposal minimum 250 words, clearly summarizing the arguments, should be submitted before the deadline. The submission would be accepted via email.

• Step 2: Notification of acceptance

The Centre will reach its decision within 4 days after abstract submission and notify the authors

• Step 3: Final Paper Submission

The academic papers for which abstracts have been accepted and registered for the symposium will be considered for final paper presentation, following a peer review process. The full paper must be submitted before the deadline, in compliance with the paper submission guidelines

• Step 4: Results

The decision regarding the final selection for paper presentation will be communicated within few days after the deadline of submission.

• Step 5: Registration

After the final selection of the paper, the authors/ co-authors will be required to fulfill the registration process by filling the registration form and paying the registration fees. The registration form will be sent to the authors of the selected manuscripts via email. The registration fee covers symposium participation, publication of contribution, symposium attendance certificate, lunch during symposium, badge, symposium bag/accessories.

• Step 6: Payment of Registration Fees

Upon submission of the registration form, the participants can pay their registration fee by PayPal, Google pay or Debit/Credit Card. The registration fees is to be submitted only by authors whose final papers have been selected for presentation in the symposium. The registration fees shall include certificate, lunch, symposium kit, publication consideration.

• Indian Academicians/Professionals/Ph.D. scholars: INR 1,500/-
• Indian Students (UG/PG): INR 1,000/-
• Foreign Authors: USD 75

Contact

• Dr. Mahendra Soni, Centre Director, Centre for Research in Labour and Employment Laws (CRLEL) crlel@nlujodhpur.ac.in | +91 79993 61131
• Convenor: Ms. Shalu Mandiya (+91 95889 05118)
• Co-Convenor: Mr. Ishaan Banga (+91 99990 74605)
• Secretary: Ms. Ananya Navin Dipali (+91 98196 47585)
• Joint Secretary: Mr. Anand Shankar (+91 94304 60387)
• Research Head: Mr. Ajay Kumar Choudhary (+91 76498 01744)