(a)whether the minimum wages fixed under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, differs from State to State;
(b)if so, the details of such wages fixed for each State/UT and the reasons therefor;
(c)whether the Government is contemplating an uniform wage policy for the entire country; and
(d)if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 103 FOR 01.12.2014 BY DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA REGARDING “UNIFORM WAGE POLICY”.
(a) & (b): Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both the Central and State Governments are appropriate Governments to fix and revise the minimum wages of the workers employed in the scheduled employments under their respective jurisdictions. Minimum rates of wages applicable in Central Sphere and State sphere is given in the Annexure. Since fixation of wages depends on factors like local conditions, cost of living, there are differences in the rates of minimum wages fixed by the appropriate Governments.
(c) & (d): As a step towards moving for a uniform wage structure, as recommended by the National Commission on Rural Labour and to reduce the disparity in minimum wages across the country, the concept of National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW) has been introduced in 1996. It is revised from time to time taking into account the increase in Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. State Governments/Union Territory Administrations are also advised to ensure NFLMW in their respective State/Union Territory.