The Punjab Labour Department is currently reviewing a proposal to raise the minimum wages in the state. Punjab Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond shared this information while responding to a question during the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session.
Addressing a query from MLA Kulwant Singh about whether the government plans to increase minimum wages in light of rising inflation, the Minister confirmed that the proposal is under active consideration.
He explained that minimum wages are revised in two ways. First, they are adjusted biannually, on March 1 and September 1, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The last revision took place on September 1, 2024, and the next adjustment is scheduled for March 1, 2025.
The second method involves increasing the base rate of minimum wages. The Minister expressed optimism that this revision would happen within the year, making 2025 the new base year. He noted that the last base rate revision occurred in 2012, and the upcoming adjustment would set a new benchmark for minimum wages.
Providing further details, the Minister stated that the Punjab Labour Department had already adjusted wages for workers across different categories in industries and factories as of September 1, 2024, based on the CPI provided by the Government of India.
Under the revised wage structure:
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Unskilled workers receive ₹10,996 per month
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Semi-skilled workers earn ₹11,776 per month
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Skilled workers are paid ₹12,673 per month
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Highly skilled workers get ₹13,705 per month
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Staff in Category A receive ₹16,166 per month
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Staff in Category B earn ₹14,496 per month
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Staff in Category C are paid ₹12,996 per month
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Staff in Category D receive ₹11,796 per month
The government remains committed to ensuring fair wages for workers and is actively working on further revisions to enhance their economic well-being.