Question : Minimum Wages of Agricultural Labourers

(a)whether minimum wages of agricultural labourers is far less than non-agricultural workers and if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether there is demand for hike in minimum wages of agricultural labourers and if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the Government has now substantially hiked the minimum wages for agricultural labourers including those hired on contract basis and if so , the details thereof;
(d)the details of the minimum wages to be paid to unskilled agricultural workers, semi-skilled agricultural workers and skilled agricultural workers in A,B,C category towns; and
(e)the other steps taken by the Government in the interest of agricultural labourers of the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) to (e): Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both Central and State Governments are appropriate Governments to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of the workers employed in the scheduled employments under their respective jurisdictions. Presently, there are 45 scheduled employments (including Agriculture) in the Central Sphere (Annexure-I).
The Central Government has notified the revision of minimum wages for the scheduled employments (including Agriculture) in the Central sphere on 19.01.2017. The increase in minimum wages for scheduled employment under the Central sphere w.e.f. 19.01.2017 is shown at Annexure-II.

The minimum rates of wages fixed by the notification are applicable to employees engaged by contractors also.
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