The Minimum Wages Act of 1948 was enacted based on Article 43 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates a living wage for all workers. The Act aims to prevent exploitation of workers, especially in industries where labor is unorganized. It allows appropriate governments to prescribe minimum wage rates for certain employments. Key features include fixing minimum wage rates and normal working hours, provisions for overtime work, and penalties for non-compliance. The Act applies to industries like construction, railways, stone breaking, cleaning services and more. It has been amended over time, with the national minimum wage floor raised to Rs. 115 per day in 2011. Minimum wages vary across states, from Rs. 169-297 per day depending on skill level.

1. MINIMUM WAGES ACT -1948
By:
MOHANDAS P
APPM/N.A.I.R

2. 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"

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. FEATURES OF MIN. WAGES ACT 1948
Fixing of minimum rates
of wages
Fixing hours for normal
working day
 Overtime
 Maintenance of registers
and records
Inspections
Claims
Penalties for Offences

7. 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

8. 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.

9. MINIMUM WAGES IN 7 STATES OF
INDIA
Un skilled
• 297
Semi skilled
• 328
Skilled
• 361
Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)
A. IN DELHI

10. Un skilled
• 169
Semi skilled
• 175
Skilled
• 227
Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)
B. IN ASSAM
C. IN PUNJAB
Un skilled
• 219
Semi skilled
• 249
Skilled
• 283

11. D. IN HARYANA
Un skilled
• 205
Semi skilled
• 210
Skilled
• 230
Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)
E. IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
Un skilled
• 150
Semi skilled
• 158
Skilled
• 188

12. F. IN BIHAR
Un skilled
• 151
Semi skilled
• 158
Skilled
• 192
Total Daily Minimum Wages (In Rupees)
G. IN RAJASTHAN
Un skilled
• 166
Semi skilled
• 176
Skilled
• 186

13. COMPARISON: MINIMUM
WAGES IN CHINAAND INDIA

14. COST OF LIVING OF INDIA

15. According To Planning Commission

16. REFERENCES
http://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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