Call for Papers | The Future of Work in India at Soundarya College of Law: Submit by May 8

About the Soundarya College of Law (SCL)

Soundarya College of Law (SCL) is one of the premier institutions established under the aegis of the Soundarya Educational Trust (R) in the year 2017. Since its inception, SCL has been committed to imparting quality legal education aimed at meeting the evolving demands of the legal profession, industry, academia, and research. The College places equal emphasis on curricular and co-curricular activities, including sports, recognising their importance in the holistic development of students and in preparing them to meet the challenges of a competitive and globalised world. SCL is affiliated with the Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi, and offers the 3-Year LL.B., 5-Year B.A. LL.B., and 5-Year B.Com. LL.B. programmes.

As part of its sustained academic engagement, SCL has consistently organised national-level conferences and symposia on contemporary legal issues. The present Two-Day All-India Symposium on Labour Laws is conceived as a continuation of this scholarly tradition, following the successful organisation of a One-Day National Conference on “Protection of Children in the Digital World” held in April 2025 in collaboration with the Karnataka Institute for Law and Parliamentary Reform (KILPAR).

About Call for Papers

The Two-Day SCL All-India Symposium on Labour Law, Justice and the Economy is envisaged as a national academic and policy-oriented platform to critically examine the transformative restructuring of India’s labour law regime through the Four Labour Codes—namely, the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

These Codes represent a paradigmatic shift in labour regulation by consolidating multiple legislations with the stated objectives of simplifying compliance mechanisms, strengthening social security frameworks, improving industrial relations, enhancing ease of doing business, and responding to the changing nature of work in a liberalised and technology-driven economy.

Eligibility

The Symposium seeks to bring together academicians, researchers, policymakers, government officials, industry professionals, legal practitioners, and students to deliberate on the dynamic interrelationship between labour law, governance institutions, and economic policy. Through plenary sessions, technical paper presentations – this event aims to promote rigorous scholarly engagement, informed policy dialogue, and practical insights into contemporary labour regulation in India.

Themes & Sub-Themes

Theme I: Labour Law and Industrial Relations

• Impact of the Four Labour Codes on workers’ rights and employer obligations
• Collective bargaining, trade unions, and the future of industrial democracy in India
• Labour law reforms and dispute resolution mechanisms under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020
• Occupational safety, health, and working conditions in formal and informal sectors
• Contract labour, gig and platform workers, and challenges of legal recognition

Theme II: Gender Justice and Labour Regulation

1. Gendered impacts of labour law reforms and workplace equality
2. Women’s participation in the labour force: legal, social, and economic barriers
3. Maternity benefits, care work, and social security under the Code on Social Security, 2020
4. Sexual harassment at the workplace: effectiveness of legal and institutional mechanisms
5. Intersectionality in labour law: gender, caste, class, and informal employment

Theme III: Labour Law, Justice, and the Economy

• Labour regulation and economic growth: balancing workers’ welfare and ease of doing business
• Labour law reforms in the context of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation
• Informal economy, social security coverage, and economic vulnerability of workers
• Technological change, automation, and the future of work in India
• Labour governance, compliance mechanisms, and the role of the State in a changing economy

Original research papers are invited from academicians, professionals, researchers, and students on the seminar sub-themes.

Submission Guidelines

• Word limit: 3000–4000 words (excluding footnotes)
• Abstract: 250–300 words with minimum 5 keywords; please provide a separate cover letter mentioning details of the author and associated institution.
• Citation style: Bluebook (21st Edition)
• Font: Times New Roman (12), Headings (14), Line spacing 1.5
• Co-authorship permitted up to two authors
• Plagiarism limit: Maximum 10%
• Use of AI-generated content is strictly prohibited.
• Selected papers will be published as an edited book with ISBN.

Registration Fee

Participation without Paper Presentation

• Academicians / Professionals: ₹999
• Research Scholars: ₹749
• Students: ₹499

Paper Presentation (After Abstract Selection)

• Academicians / Professionals: ₹1,999
• Research Scholars: ₹999
• Students: ₹799
• Bank Account Details-
  Bank Name- AXIS BANK
  Account Holder Name- Soundarya College of Law
  Account Number- 917010052562868
  MICR Code- 560211062
  IFSC Code- UTIB0002926

Important Dates

• Submission of Abstract: 8th May 2026
• Communication of Abstract Acceptance: 10th May 2026
• Registration and Payment: 12th May 2026
• Submission of Full-Length Paper: 16th May 2026
• Registration for Seminar Participation Only: 20th May 2026
• Conference Date: 22nd and 23rd May 2026.

Submission Procedure

• Link for Abstract submission is here.
• Link for Full Paper submission is here.

Contact Information

Faculty Coordinators

• Ms Rhea Hundal, Assistant Professor- 7702718084; [email protected]
• Ms Damini M, Assistant Professor- 9844524665; [email protected]
• Ms. Pooja Abhinaya GB, Assistant Professor-8428796919 [email protected]

Student Contact Details

• Shrey Nair: +91 8764196285
• Nikhil: +91 9742202671

For any queries, please reach out to at this email id: [email protected]

The brochure is here.