Question : Minimum Wages Act- 1948

(a)whether minimum wages fixed for various types of unskilled labourer under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 vary amongst States;
(b)if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise along with the reasons for differential wages;
(c)whether the Government proposes to amend the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and formulate a uniform wage policy for the entire country and if so, the details and the salient features thereof;
(d)whether the Government has received feedbacks from the States in this regard; and
(e)if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

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

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 118 FOR 24.07.2017 BY SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI AND SHRI RAJAN VICHARE REGARDING “MINIMUM WAGES ACT, 1948”.


(a) & (b): 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 employment under their respective jurisdictions. As regards minimum wages in States, there is disparity due to variations in socio-economic and agro-climatic conditions, income, prices of essential commodities, paying capacity, productivity and local conditions. As per the available information, a statement showing the range of rates of minimum wages in different States/Union Territories is at Annexure.

(c) to (e): Ministry has taken steps for drafting the Labour Code on Wages by amalgamating, simplifying and rationalizing the relevant provisions of 4 Central Acts i.e. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, The Payment of Wages Act, 1936, The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. Amendment to Labour Laws is an ongoing process and such amendments are made through tripartite consultations.