Central Government Increases Minimum Wage Rates to Support Workers.
New Delhi:
In a significant effort to bolster the financial security of workers, especially in the unorganized sector, the Central Government has announced an increase in minimum wage rates through a revision of the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA). This adjustment is designed to help workers manage the rising cost of living.
Effective October 1, 2024, the revised wage rates will impact workers across various sectors, including construction, loading and unloading, housekeeping, mining, and agriculture in central sphere establishments. This marks the first revision since April 2024.
The minimum wage rates are categorized by skill levels—unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled—and by geographical areas labeled A, B, and C. Under the new rates, unskilled workers in area A will earn Rs 783 per day (approximately Rs 20,358 per month). Semi-skilled workers will receive Rs 868 per day (Rs 22,568 per month), while skilled and clerical workers without arms will earn Rs 954 per day (Rs 24,804 per month). Highly skilled workers and those in watch and ward roles with arms will receive Rs 1,035 per day (Rs 26,910 per month).
The Central Government revises the VDA biannually, effective April 1 and October 1, based on the six-month average increase in the Consumer Price Index for industrial workers. For detailed information on minimum wage rates by sector and area, the public can visit the Chief Labour Commissioner’s website at clc.gov.in.
