ILO's Report on Minimum Wages Indian Workers

The ILO report titled ‘Global Wage Report 2020-21: Wages and minimum wages in the time of COVID-19’ is available at ILO’s official website.

The Report inter-alia, comments on various issues including on Indian workers having low average wages, longer hours as well as that the workers in Asia and the Pacific enjoyed the highest real wage growth among all regions over the period 2006–19, with India leading the way along with other countries. Further, while comparing average wage, the report has taken into account the National Floor Level Minimum Wage which is Rs.176/- per day. However, actual wages are far higher. If the median of the minimum wages in different states is drawn, it would be Rs.269/- per day in the country. This information was given by Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

The Code on Wages, 2019 which has been notified on 8^th August, 2019 universalises and creates a statutory right of minimum wages for all workers whether in organized or unorganised sector. A new concept of statutory floor wage has also been introduced in the Code on Wages. The Code also provides that the minimum wages are to be ordinarily reviewed and revised by the appropriate Governments in intervals not exceeding five years.

This information was given by Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

Working Hours Report

In addition, Mr Ganwar also informed the Lok Sabha about the Occupational Safety and working hours status. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHW&C) Code, 2020, has provisions for safety, health and working conditions of workers which include daily and weekly working hours, leave etc. The OSHW&C Code, 2020 has been published on 29^th September, 2020 and will come into force on the date as notified by the Central Government. The OSHW&C Code, 2020 and draft Rules framed thereunder provide that no worker shall be required or allowed to work, in any establishment or class of establishments for more than eight hours in a day or forty-eight hours in a week.

Ministry of Labour and Employment has received the draft Ordinances/Bills from different State Governments through Ministry of Home Affairs regarding amendment in the existing provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 including extension of working hours under the Factories Act, 1948. This Ministry has not agreed to extend the working hours.