Under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the appointment of a Welfare Officer is mandatory in every factory wherein how many workers are ordinarily employed?

Section 24 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 provides that in every factory wherein five hundred or more workers are ordinarily employed, the employer shall appoint such number of Welfare Officers as may be prescribed. The Welfare Officer is responsible for overseeing the welfare facilities and amenities provided to workers and ensuring compliance with the welfare provisions of the Code. The qualifications, duties and conditions of service of such officers are prescribed by the appropriate Government. This provision carries forward the welfare officer requirement earlier contained in the Factories Act, 1948, ensuring continued attention to worker welfare in larger establishments.