The Minimum Wages Board Lahore of the Government of Punjab has issued a notification on March 29, 2023, regarding the Draft Minimum Wage Rates 2023 for skilled and semi-skilled workers in industrial and commercial establishments. The proposed minimum wage rate is Rs. 32000 per month. The final recommendations will be received within 30 days.
Purpose of Wages Fixation
The purpose of minimum wages is to protect workers from receiving low pay and ensure that they receive wages that satisfy their needs and those of their families. Minimum wage fixation is also one element of a policy to reduce poverty and inequality by promoting the right to equal remuneration for work of equal value.
Criteria for minimum Wages Fixation
The Government of Punjab must fix the wages of skilled and semi-skilled workers according to their needs and those of their families, the general level of wages in the country, the cost of living, social security benefits, and the relative living standards of other social groups.
Importance and Need of Wages Fixation
The proposed recommendations for the fixation of wages of skilled and semi-skilled workers in industrial and commercial establishments are important for a significant upward push in wages level. This will increase the rationalization and simplification of the wage scale.
Application of Recommendations Regarding Wages Fixation
The proposed recommendations must apply to all industrial undertakings according to the Punjab Minimum Wages ACT 2019 and be enforced by the issuance date. These recommendations are also applicable for the daily, weekly, and hourly working conditions of overtime work, work on weekly days of rest, and on paid holidays.
The minimum rates of wages for other categories of workers employed in any industry shall not be less than the proposed minimum rate of wages for all adult and adolescent workers in the Punjab Province.
Deduction for Accommodation
The employer is allowed to make deductions for providing housing accommodation and transport to workers. The deductions are Rs. 396.80 per month for housing accommodation and Rs. 84.48 per month for transport.
Table of Proposed Rates
The proposed minimum wage rates for unskilled adult and adolescent workers employed in all industrial and commercial establishments in Punjab are Rs. 1230.76 per day for 8 working hours and Rs. 32,000 per month for 26 working days.
The proposed recommendations for the fixation of wages of skilled and semi-skilled workers in industrial and commercial establishments in Punjab Province are important to ensure the protection of workers against low pay and reduce poverty and inequality.
The government of Punjab should take measures to ensure the effective application of all provisions relating to minimum wage fixation provided by Law.
