MINIMUM WAGES ACT -1948

By:

Rahul Lovleen

Pratibha

DEFINITION

The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 Is Based On Article 43 Of The Constitution Of India Which States That, "The State Shall Endeavor To Secure By Suitable Legislation Or Economic Organization Or In Any Other Way To All Workers, Agricultural, Industrial Or Otherwise, Work, A Living Wage (Emphasis Added) Conditions Of Work Ensuring A Decent Standard Of Life And Full Enjoyment Of Leisure And Social And Cultural Opportunities"

The International Labour Organization Defines Minimum Wage As "The Minimum Sum Payable To A Worker For Work Performed Or Services Rendered, Within A Given Period, Whether Calculated On The Basis Of Time Or Output, Which May Not Be Reduced Either By Individual Or Collective Agreement, Which Is Guaranteed By Law And Which May Be Fixed In Such A Way As To Cover The Minimum Needs Of The Worker And His Or Her Family, In The Light Of National Economic And Social Conditions”.

OR

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A Tripartite Committee Viz., "The Committee On

Fair Wage" Was Set Up In 1948 To Provide Guidelines For Wage Structures In The Country. The Report Of This Committee Was A Major Landmark In The History Of Formulation Of Wage Policy In India. Its Recommendations Set Out The Key Concepts Of The 'Living Wage', "Minimum Wages" And "Fair Wage" Besides Setting Out Guidelines For Wage Fixation.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

The Main Objective Of This Act, Is Fixing A Minimum Rate Of Wages In Number Of Industries Where The Labours Are Not Organized And Sweated Labours Are Most Dominant. The Act Aims At Preventing The Exploitation Of Workers Or Labours In Some Industries, For Which, The Appropriate Government Is Empowered To Take Steps To Prescribe Minimum Rates Of Wages In Certain Employment. The Act Extends To The Whole Of India.

FEATURES OF MIN. WAGES ACT 1948Fixing of minimum rates of wagesFixing hours for normal working day Overtime Maintenance of registers and recordsInspectionsClaimsPenalties for Offences

APPLICABILITY OF WAGES ACT 1948 Agriculture Construction/Maintenance Of Roads And Building

Operations. Maintenance Of Buildings Construction And Maintenance Of Runways. Uranium Mines Employment In Laying Down Of Underground Electric,

Wireless, Radio, Television, Telephone, Telegraph And Overseas Communication

Cables And Similar Other Underground Cabling, Electric Lines Water Supply Lines

And Sewerage Pipe Lines. Loading And Unloading In Railways Goods Shed Stone Breaking And Stone Crushing Employment In Sweeping And Cleaning

CURRENT MINIMUM WAGES IN INDIA 2013

With Effect From November 2009, The National Floor Level Of Minimum Wage Has Been Increased To Rs 100 Per Day From Rs 80 Per Day (Which Was In Effect Since 2007). Recently With Effect From April 1, 2011 The National Floor Level Of Minimum Wage Has Been Raised To Rs 115 Per Day.

MINIMUM WAGES IN 7 STATES OF INDIA

Un skilled

•297

Semi skilled

•328

Skilled

•361

Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)A. IN DELHI

Un skilled

•169

Semi skilled

•175

Skilled

•227

Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)B. IN ASSAM

C. IN PUNJABUn skilled

•219

Semi skilled

•249

Skilled

•283

D. IN HARYANAUn skilled

•205

Semi skilled

•210

Skilled

•230

Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)

E. IN HIMACHAL PRADESHUn skilled

•150

Semi skilled

•158

Skilled

•188

F. IN BIHARUn skilled

•151

Semi skilled

•158

Skilled

•192

Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)

G. IN RAJASTHANUn skilled

•166

Semi skilled

•176

Skilled

•186

COMPARISON: MINIMUM WAGES IN CHINA AND INDIA

COST OF LIVING OF INDIA

According To Planning Commission

REFERENCEShttp://labour.nic.in/content/

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=India

http://www.paycheck.in/main/salary/minimumwages

http://www.retireinasia.com/cost-of-living-in-india/

http://manmaik.blogspot.in/2011/01/important-features-of-minimum-wages-act.html

http://www.kkhsou.in/main/EVidya2/management/minimum_wages.html

http://www.asiabriefing.com/news/2013/07/comparison-minimum-wages-in-china-and-india/

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