The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 is intended to
primarily safeguard the interest of workers particularly in unorganised sector.
While fixing the minimum wages for different employments covered in the
Schedule, the norms recommended by Indian Labour Conference (ILC) 1957 and the judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court delivered in the case of Reptakos& Co. Vs. its workers are kept in
view.
There is large
scale variation of minimum wages both within the country and internationally
owing to differences in prices of essential commodities, paying capacity,
productivity, local conditions, items of the commodity basket, differences in
exchange rates etc.
In view of this
it is not possible to compare the minimum wages in the country with
International Standards.
The summary of the discussion
held in the Labour Conference pertaining to minimum
wages is at Annexure I.
The norms
recommended by the Indian Labour Conference (ILC), held in 1957 are taken into
accountwhile fixing the minimum wages. These are as follows:-
(i) 3 consumption units for one earner.
(ii) Minimum food requirements of 2700 calories per average Indian
adult.
(iii) Clothing requirements of 72 yards per annum per
family.
(iv) Rent corresponding to the minimum area provided for under
Government’s Industrial Housing Scheme.
(v) Fuel, Lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to
constitute 20% of the total minimum wage.
This information was given by Minister of
Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in reply in reply to a written
question whether the minimum wage in the country is at par with international
standards for offering a reasonably comfortable life in the current economic
scenario; the recommendations of the Indian Labour Conference in this regard;
and any proposal to adjust the wage on
the basis of calorie intake of the workers family in the Lok Sabha today.
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