minimum wages
TRANSCRIPT
Minimum Wages-A comparative study
Kerala V/s Tamil Nadu
Avin Jose[21088] Derin Elsa Idiculla [210 ]
Minimum Wages India
Legislative protection for workers to receive a minimum wage, can be considered as
the hall mark of any progressive nation. It is one of the fundamental premises of
decent work. In India, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 provides for fixation and
enforcement of minimum wages in respect of scheduled employments
The Act aims to prevent sweating or exploitation of labour ( According to the NSSO
(2004-05) 61st round, around 395 million workers (86%) out of the total workforce of
around 457 million workers constitute the unorganized/informal sector. In fact 7% of
those employed in organized sector has been identified as informal workers raising
the toll of informal sector to 422 million (92%) through payment of low wages by
ensuring a minimum subsistence wage for workers. The Act also requires the
appropriate government (both at Centre and States) to fix minimum rates of wages in
respect of employments specified in the schedule and also review and revise the
same at intervals not exceeding five years.
Currently, the number of scheduled employments in the Central sphere is 45
whereas in the States sphere the number is 1596 (when all states are counted). With
effect from November 2009, the National Floor Level of Minimum Wage has been
increased to Rs 100 per day from Rs 80 per day (which was in effect since 2007).
Recently with effect from April 1, 2011 the National Floor Level of Minimum Wage
has been raised to Rs 115 per day.
Since the respective state governments have been empowered to independently fix
minimum wages, disparities between wages in neighbouring states are common. In
order to reduce this problem and bring comparability the Central government has set
up 5 regional committees (table below)2 for harmonization of minimum wages.
Table: 5 Regional Committees in India
Current Minimum Wages
Region States/UTs covered
Eastern Region
(6)
West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
North Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Region (8) Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
Southern Region
(6)
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and
Lakshadweep.
Northern Region
(9)
Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Delhi and
Chandigarh.
Western Region
(6)
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar
Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Number of minimum wage/s, exists in India
There exists more than one minimum wages in India. As per Section 2 of the Act and
Section27, 28 it is mentioned that State as well as Centre has the power to form
Minimum Wage rates
Levels at which minimum wage determined
In India, minimum wages are declared at national, regional, sectoral and
occupational or skill level. As per Section 3 of the Act minimum rates of wages may
be fixed at national & state level. Also, Section 3 (3) of the Act specifies that
minimum rates of wages may be fixed for different skills and occupations
Basis on which minimum wage/s declared
Minimum wages in India is declared on daily, hourly, and monthly basis. As per
section 3 (b) of the Act defines that Minimum Wages are as per the piece rate, hour
rate, and monthly rate as well
In case of daily/weekly/monthly minimum wage, are number of working hours
considered while fixing minimum wages
As per Section3 (14) (b) of the Act there has not been any specific time period. But
may be in accordance to the period fixed under section 4 of the Payment of Wages
Act, 1936 (4 of 1936)
Who all are involved in setting minimum wages
As per Section 9 of the Act uprating are based on decision jointly made by the
Government, employer and trade union representatives
The components of minimum wages in India
Minimum wages in India has both fixed and variable component. Section 4 mentions
that minimum wages may be inclusive of basic pay and with special allowance on
which it is based.
How frequently is the fixed component of minimum wages updated
Fixed component of minimum wages are updated in more than 2 years. Section 3 of
the Act mentions that the period for revision of fixed component of minimum wages
can be anywhere within 5 years of its fixation.
How frequently is the variable component of minimum wage updated
variable component of minimum wages are updated at irregular time lags. Section 4
of the Act mentions that the special allowance rate should be adjusted at such
intervals and in such manner as the appropriate government may direct
The yardsticks on which minimum wage revisions are based
Section 4 of the Act mentions that Minimum wages are based on basic wages and
cost of living index. The yardsticks on which minimum wage is revised are: (a) Three
consumption units per earner, (b) Minimum food requirement of 2700 calories per
average Indian adult, ( c ) Cloth requirement of 72 yards per annum per family, (d)
Rent corresponding to the minimum area provided under the Government's Industrial
Housing Scheme (e) Fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to
constitute 20 % of the total Minimum Wages (f) Children education, medical
requirement, minimum recreation including festivals/ceremonies and provision for old
age, marriage etc. should further constitute 25% of the total Minimum Wage.
The national poverty line (In national currency)
The national poverty line is Rs. 356.30 in rural areas and Rs. 538.60 in urban areas,
per capita per month as updated by all-India poverty lines 2004-05
The percentage of minimum wage relative to the current poverty line
The percentage of minimum wage relative to the current poverty line is 581.65%
(100*26/447*100). National Floor level of minimum wage (Rs 100 per person per
day) has been used to calculate this figure. In order to derive monthly minimum
wage, Minimum Wage rate is multiplied by 26 (number of work days in a month).
National poverty line is calculated by taking an average of the rural and urban
poverty line (Rs 447 per person per month).
To whom/where can individuals complain, if they think they are earning less
than minimum wages.
In case individuals earn less than specified minimum wages, they can complain to
Labour Inspectorate coordinates or Trade Union Coordinates. As per section 19 of
Minimum Wages Act, 1948, government may appoint such person as it thinks fit to
be Inspectors for the purposes of this Act. As per section 20 (2) of Minimum Wages
Act, 1948 it mention that employee can make complain in writing by himself or
through any legal practitioner or any official of a registered trade union authorised to
act on his behalf or any Inspector or any person acting with the permission of the
authority
Probationer’s entitlement to Minimum Wage
By and large, whenever a person joins a new employment, he/she is placed on
probation for a certain period and the employer is entitled to terminate or dispense
the services of probationer during or at the end of such probation period.
Considering this, many-a-times it is enquired whether a probationer is entitled to
minimum wages. Here, the probationer although not being a permanent employee
performs same work as a regular employee and no such distinction has been made
under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and thus he is entitled to minimum wages.
Furthermore, a pregnant lady on probation is entitled to maternity benefits as per the
Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Where such advanced benefits are extended to
probationers then minimum wage is a basic entitlement.
Minimum Wages
The Constitution of India envisages a just and humane society and accordingly gives
place to the concept of living wage in the chapter on Directive Principles of State
Policy. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 is based on Article 43 of the Constitution of
India which states that, "The State shall endeavour to secure by suitable legislation
or economic organisation or in any other way to all workers, agricultural, industrial or
otherwise, work, a living wage (emphasis added) conditions of work ensuring a
decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural
Opportunities”. The term 'Labour' is included in the 'concurrent list' of the Constitution
which provides for labour legislation both by the central and the state governments.
Labour laws for most workers in the informal sector are enforced by the state
governments, while that for contractors and casual workers in establishments is
regulated by the central government. All labour laws enacted by the central
government directly or indirectly influence wage level and structure of wages in the
informal sector. Table 1 gives a list of legislations that have a direct influence on
wages in the informal sector.
Table 1: Labour legislations influencing wages in the informal sector in India
Labour legislation Type of intervention
The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
To provide minimum compensation for work. Workers in scheduled employment to be paid minimum wage.
The Trade Unions Act, 1926
To enable workers of a number of small units to form unions, who can bargain wages and other condition of work.
The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
To enable unions to raise industrial disputes on wages and the conciliation machinery to intervene.
The Equal Remunerations Act, 1976
Assure equal wage to women for same or similar work.
The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
To regulate the manner of payment of wages and their realisation in case of non-payment.
The Contract Labours (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970
The contractor is required to pay wages and in case of failure on the part of the contractor to pay wages either in part or in full, the Principal Employer is liable to pay the same.
Minimum wage legislation is the main labour legislation for the workers in
unorganized sector. In India, the policy on wage determination had been to fix
minimum wages in sweating employments and to promote fair wage agreements in
the more organised industries. Wages in the organised sector are determined
through negotiations and settlements between employer and employees. On the
other hand, in unorganised sector, where labour is vulnerable to exploitation due to
illiteracy and does not have effective bargaining power, the intervention of the
government becomes necessary.
The Minimum Wage Act, 1948 provides for fixation and enforcement of minimum
wages in respect of schedule employments to prevent sweating or exploitation of
labour through payment of low wages. The objective of the Act is to ensure a
minimum subsistence wage for workers. The Act requires the appropriate
government to fix minimum rates of wages in respect of employment specified in the
schedule and review and revise the minimum rates of wages at intervals not
exceeding five years. Once a minimum wage is fixed according to the provisions of
the Act, it is not open to the employer to plead his inability to pay the said wages to
his employees.
The minimum wage rate may be fixed at a) time rate, b) piece rate, c) guaranteed
time rate and d) overtime rate. The Act provides that different minimum wage rate
may be fixed for a) different scheduled employments, b) different works in the
same employment, c) adult, adolescent and children, d) different locations or e) male
and female. Also, such minimum wage may be fixed by a) an hour, b) day, c) month,
or d) any other period as may be prescribed by the notified authority.
In order to protect the minimum wages against inflation, the concept of linking it to
the rise in the consumer price index was recommended at the labour
ministers' conference in 1988. Since then, the concept of Variable Dearness
Allowance (VDA)5 linked to consumer price index has been introduced. The VDA is
revised twice a year in April and October. While the Centre has already made
provision in respect of all scheduled employments in the central sphere, 22 states
and Union Territories have adopted VDA as a component of minimum wage.
Norms for fixing minimum wages
The fixation of minimum wage in India, depends upon various factors like socio-
economic and agro-climatic conditions, prices of essential commodities, paying
capacity and the local factors influencing the wage rate. It is for this reason that the
minimum wages vary across the country.
In the absence of any criteria stipulated for fixing the minimum wage in the Minimum
Wages Act, the Indian Labour Conference in 1957 had said that the following norms
should be taken into account while fixing the minimum wage. The norms for fixing
minimum wage rate are (a) three consumption units per earner, (b) minimum food
requirement of 2700 calories per average Indian adult, (c) cloth requirement of 72
yards per annum per family, (d) rent corresponding to the minimum area provided
under the government's Industrial Housing Scheme and (e) fuel, lighting and other
miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute 20 per cent of the total minimum
wage (f) Fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute
20% of the total Minimum Wages, (g) children education, medical requirement,
minimum recreation including festivals/ceremonies and provision for old age,
marriage etc. should further constitute 25% of the total minimum wage.
In September 2007, the national minimum floor level wage was increased to Rs 80
per day for all scheduled employments from Rs 66 in 2004 to Rs. 45 in 1999, Rs. 40
in 1998 and Rs. 35 in 1996.
Issues in Wage Policy
Minimum wages are expected to cover the essential current costs of
accommodation, food and clothing of a small family. The Minimum Wage Act, while
being very progressive has led to specific problems. Doubts have been raised on the
existence of a clear and coherent wage policy in India particularly in unorganized
sector. This is mainly due to its poor norms of fixation, enforcement, implementation
and coverage in various parts of the country. Some of the issues and concerns faced
in India regarding minimum wages are summarized below:
a. Norms for fixing minim wages
The Act does not set out a minimum wage in rupee terms, but just stipulates that the
wage be a living wage8 which is to be decided by labour department in each state.
Certain norms have been laid out including that of calorie requirements, yards of
cloth per family and so on. The Act also stipulates that minimum wage rates are to
be revised keeping in mind inflation. Additionally, the guidelines laid down for the
minimum wage by the 15th Indian Labour Conference (ILC) and the Supreme Court
suggest that a minimum wage for 8 hours of work should be high enough to cover all
the basic needs of the worker, his/her spouse and two children. However, in many
states while fixing the minimum wages, they are not linked to the payment of
dearness allowance. As a result, real wages of workers keep eroding due to inflation,
pushing them below the poverty line.
Another inadequacy is that though the MWA requires wages to be revised every five
years, this rarely happens. The MWA also has a clause which states that if wages
are not revised, the existing wages should continue. Such an arrangement has only
led to greater laziness and unaccountability on the part of state labour departments,
leaving some workers to live below poverty line. Further to overcome these
inadequacies, the National Commission on Rural Labour in 1990, recommended that
the MWA should be amended to compel timely revision of wages and it should be
linked to VDA. It should also ensure enhancement of wages every six months on the
basis of the Consumer Price Index. How far the amendment has been implemented
in states is unknown. (For example, states like Rajasthan, Orissa etc. do not have
provision for VDA).
Different wages are fixed for the same work in different sectors. For instance, a
watchman in the shop or commercial establishment may be fixed higher or lower
wages than a watchman in the plastic industry or in a construction or maintenance of
roads or building operations, though a watchman’s job will be the same wherever he
may work. To overcome these deficiencies, several states like Himachal Pradesh,
West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, etc., have rationalised all the different occupation
categories into just four categories - unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly-skilled.
As per this system, only one notification is applicable to all industries, rather than the
time-consuming system of notifying wages individually for various industries. Though
the system gives a clear and detailed information of minimum wages, it has not been
adopted by all states, including the Indian Labour Ministry website, which gives the
minimum rate of wage (that is wages for unskilled workers) for each occupation.
b. Coverage
In order to have minimum wage fixed, the employment or industrial activity has to be
included in the schedule of Employments. Currently the number of scheduled
employments in the Central government is 45 whereas in the state sphere the
number is 1232. he criterion for inclusion in the list of scheduled employment is that
there should be at least 1000 workers engaged in that activity in the state. Thus,
many activities are excluded from the list. This criterion for inclusion has left a very
large number of workers in the unorganised sector outside the purview of the
Minimum Wage Act.
c. Implementation
The main problem of minimum wage legislation in India is its poor implementation.
The Act empowers the appropriate government (Central, State or Local) to fix a
minimum wage for workers in unorganised sectors. However, often exemptions from
the payment of minimum wages have been granted to industries. In addition,
minimum wage levels have been revised only at long intervals (where the actual
prescribed limit is within 5 years). Such a failure in implementation of MWA is not
only due to loopholes in policy design but is also an outcome of lapses in the
administration.
Poor implementation of MWA does not affect organised workers as much as it does
to workers in unorganized sectors. Unorganised workers are employed with millions
of employers (generally small trade, enterprise, sole proprietor or household) who
are scattered and hence becomes difficult to cover them under law. This diversity in
locations and nature of work has left them vulnerable to exploitation in the absence
of a broad legal standard. Also, many workers for the fear of losing their jobs do not
report about payments lower than the minimum wage rate. At times, these workers
are even forced by their employers to certify payments below minimum wages.
d. Enforcement
Poor enforcement of the Act is another issue prevalent in most of the states in India.
The issue arises mainly due to lack of awareness amongst the workers about
minimum wage provisions and their entitlement under the labour laws. Surveys have
shown that almost 80 per cent of the workers in unorganized sector earn less than
20 rupees a day or less than half the government-stipulated rural minimum wage of
49 rupees a day and urban wage of 67 rupees9. This is particularly true in remote
areas and in areas where workers are not unionized or otherwise organised. As a
result their wages have long since failed to keep pace with rising costs and continue
to diminish in real value over time.
Comparative study of Minimum Wages between Kerala and Tamil
Nadu
Minimum Wages in Kerala Kerala: Revised Minimum Wages updated on March 5, 2011
Sr.
No. Scheduled Employment Category of Workers
Minimum
Wages V.D.A
Total
Wages
Notification
Date
1 Agricultural Operation for Light Work 150 No
Provision
150 10th Aug
2009 for Hard Work 200 200
2 Ayurvedic and Allopathic
Medicines
Unskilled 96.23 49.52 145.75
Semi-skilled 100.54 49.52 150.06
Skilled 102.69 49.52 152.21
Highly skilled 107 49.52 156.52
3 Arecanut Tree Climbing
Piece rate wages exists (for
Plucking Per Bunch of Nuts) 3 0 3
10th Aug
2009 Piece rate wages exists (for
Spraying Per Tree) 1.75 0 1.75
4 Beedi and Cigar Industry
Grade (1) 93.65 47.93 141.58
Grade (2) 85.19 47.93 133.12
Grade (2)(A) 87.3 47.93 135.23
Grade (3) 80.96 47.93 128.89
5 Block Rubber Factories
Unskilled 135 21.32 156.32 28th Dec
2009 Semi-skilled 150 21.32 171.32
Skilled 159 21.32 180.32
6 Brick Manufacturies
Unskilled 85.2 114.76 199.96
Semi-skilled 87.6 114.76 202.36
Skilled 90 114.76 204.76
7 Cashew Industry Lowest Rate 180 18.36 198.36 1st Feb 2011
Highest Rate 250 18.36 268.36
8 Cashew Plantation
Clear felling, 150 0 150
10th Aug
2009
Collectors of rawnut
(a) Collecting nut from trees (Per
Kg) 5.6 0 5.6
(b) Collecting nuts from the
ground (Per Kg) 2.8 0 2.8
9 Coconut Tree Climbing Piece rate wages exists (Per
Tree) 4 0 4
10th Aug
2009
10
Construction,
maintenance of
roads,building operations
Unskilled 112.46 67.39 179.85
Semi-skilled 142.62 67.39 210.01
Skilled 164.18 67.39 231.57
11 Coir Manufacturing Piece rate wages exists
12 Cinema Theatres
Unskilled 97.1 41.17 138.27
Semi-skilled 101.1 41.17 142.27
Skilled 106.1 41.17 147.27
Highly skilled 111.1 41.17 152.27
13 Dairy Farming
Category D 184.69 21.32 206.01
10th Aug
2009
Category C 189.42 21.32 210.74
Category B 194.77 21.32 216.09
Category A 214.31 21.32 235.63
Milking (twice daily) 210 21.32 231.32
Milking (twice along with other
works in Dairy) 250 21.32 271.32
Seed Bull attending 250 21.32 271.32
OtherGeneral Works 195 21.32 216.32
14 Drying of Coconuts for
making Copra 40.65 104.47 145.12
15
Fish Peeling and Fish
Canning, Freezing and
Exporting of Sea Foods.
Processing workers 138 21.32 159.32
15th Mar
2010
Icemen 139 21.32 160.32
Loading and Unloading from
trawlers 140 21.32 161.32
16 Forests
Unskilled 146 59.39 205.39
Semi-skilled 151 59.39 210.39
Skilled 167 59.39 226.39
Highly skilled 181 59.39 240.39
17 Handloom Industry
Unskilled 118 21.32 139.32
11th Dec
2009
Semi-skilled 124 21.32 145.32
Skilled 131 21.32 152.32
Highly skilled 137 21.32 158.32
18 Handling and Care of
Elephants
Lowest Rate 146.73 21.32 168.05 9th June
2009 Highest Rate 153.86 21.32 175.18
19 Hill Product Industry Lowest Rate 128 49.53 177.53
Highest Rate 130 49.53 179.53
20 Hostels
Group I 127.35 21.32 148.67
15th Dec
2009
Group II 124.88 21.32 146.2
Group III 122.5 21.32 143.82
Group IV 119.27 21.32 140.59
Group V 117.65 21.32 138.97
21 Hosiery Manufacturing
Unskilled 65 73.71 138.71
Semi-skilled 68 73.71 141.71
Skilled 106.62 73.71 180.33
Highly skilled 164.3 73.71 238.01
22 Ice Factory Unskilled 72.96 68.04 141
Highly skilled 75.31 68.04 143.35
23 Light Motor Vehicles Lowest Rate 148 75.27 223.27
Highest Rate 174 75.27 249.27
24 Liquor Trading &
Vending
Unskilled 90.69 80.18 170.87
Semi-skilled 94.85 80.18 175.03
Skilled 99 80.18 179.18
Highly skilled 103.15 80.18 183.33
25 L.P.Gas (Cooking Gas)
Agencies
Manager 132.21 22.10 154.31
27th May
2009
Assistant Manager 127.40 22.10 149.50
Accountant/ Cashier/ Clerk/
Typist/ Stenographer/ Computer
operator/ Mechanic/ Driver
(Heavy duty)
122.60 22.10 144.70
Driver (Light duty)/ Delivery
Boy/ Godown Keeper 121.15 22.10 143.25
Attender/ Watchman/ peon/
Godown Assistant/ Sweeper 119.23 51.34 183.55
26 Match Industry Unskilled 59.31 54.76 114.07
Highly skilled 66.7 54.76 121.46
27 Minor Ports Lowest Rate 75 66.01 141.01
Highest Rate 139 66.01 205.01
28 Minor Engineering
Unskilled 138 21.32 159.32
16th Dec
2009
Semi-skilledGr.2 145 21.32 166.32
Semi-skilledGr.1 150 21.32 171.32
Skilled Gr.3 154 21.32 175.32
Skilled Gr.2 158 21.32 179.32
Skilled Gr.1 164 21.32 185.32
Highly skilled 166 21.32 187.32
Supervisory 192.31 21.32 213.63
29 Nurseries Unskilled 155 21.32 176.32 10th Aug
Skilled 155 55 210 2009
Clerk, Typist, 125 21.32 146.32
Manager/Supervisor 138.46 21.32 159.78
30 Oil Mill
Unskilled 123 49.53 172.53
Semi-skilled 126.8 49.53 176.33
Skilled 127.85 49.53 177.38
31 Oil Palm Plantation
General Category 108 55.76 163.76
Factory 112 55.76 167.76
Skilled 137 55.76 192.76
32
Plantation i.e. any estate
Which is maintained for
the purpose of growing
Rubber, Coffee & Tea.
Rubber Plantation
12th June
2009
Field Workers 87.01 75.01 162.02
Factory Workers 90.33 75.01 165.34
Creche Attendants 98.19 86.55 184.74
Special Category 100.69 86.55 187.24
Supervisors 102.19 86.55 188.74
Coffee Plantation
Field Workers 49.02 75.01 124.03
Factory Workers 51.42 75.01 126.43
Creche Attendants 55.92 86.55 142.47
Special Category 57.46 86.55 144.01
Supervisors 58.38 86.55 144.93
Tea Plantation
Field Workers 49.02 75.01 124.03
Creche Attendants 55.92 86.55 142.47
Special Category 57.46 86.55 144.01
Supervisors 58.38 86.55 144.93
33 Plywood Industry
Unskilled 111 82.52 193.52
Semi-skilled 113 82.52 195.52
Skilled 115 82.52 197.52
Highly skilled 122 82.52 204.52
34
Power loom Industry
excluding the workers
employed in power loom
section of Cotton Textile
Mills in the State
Unskilled 71.8 59.39 131.19
Semi-skilled 73.38 59.39 132.77
Skilled 78.16 59.39 137.55
35 Pharmacists in Medical
Shop Highly skilled 86.54 86.99 173.53
36 Printing Press Unskilled 79.2 50.59 129.79
Skilled 80.85 50.59 131.44
37
Private Hospitals
Dispensaries Pharmacies
Clinical Laboratories,
Scanning Center, X - Ray
Lowest Rate 30.19 121.33 151.52
16th Dec
2009 Highest Rate 66.34 121.33 187.67
Unit and other allied
Institution
38 Rice Mill, Flour Mill &
Dhal Mill
Unskilled 181 22.1 203.1 24th Feb
2010 Semi-skilled 174 22.1 196.1
Skilled 167 22.1 189.1
39
River Sand Collection
and its loading and
unloading
Loading & Unloading 250 51.39 301.39
North Zone 250 51.39 301.39
South Zone 300 51.39 351.39
40 Rubber Crepe Mills
Category 1 139 21.32 160.32
9th Oct 2009 Category 2 134 21.32 155.32
Category 3 130 21.32 151.32
41 Rubber Products Industry
Unskilled 85 67.39 152.39
Semi-skilled 92.5 67.39 159.89
Skilled 95 67.39 162.39
Highly skilled 96.25 67.39 163.64
42
Shops & Establishments
(including Hotels and
Restaurants)
Grade E 143.35 24.9 168.25
23rd July
2009
Grade D 146.15 24.9 171.05
Grade C 149.12 24.9 174.02
Grade B 152.08 24.9 176.98
Grade A 157.85 24.9 182.75
Special Grade 161.69 24.9 186.59
43 Stone Breaking and
Stone Crushing
Unskilled 112.46 67.39 179.85
Semi-skilled 142.62 67.39 210.01
Skilled 164.18 67.39 231.57
44 Tile Industry
Unskilled 120.2 31.72 151.92
Semi-skilled 120.2 31.72 151.92
Skilled 121.8 31.72 153.52
Highly skilled 122.3 31.72 154.02
45 Timber Industry and
Plywood Industry
Unskilled 111 49.36 160.36
Semi-skilled 113 49.36 162.36
Skilled 115 49.36 164.36
Highly skilled 122 49.36 171.36
46 Toddy Tapping
Grade I 121.73 2.00 123.73
30th Mar
2010
Grade II 116.85 2.00 118.85
Grade III 111.92 2.00 113.92
Grade IV 107.04 2.00 109.04
47
Units engaged in
manufacturing & sale of
umbrellas
Piece rate wages exists
48 Sales Promition of
Pharmaceuticals Sales Promotion Employees 273 21.32 294.32
27th May
2009
49 Manufacture and sale of Piece rate wages exists 30th Jan
Umbrellas 2010
50
Gold and Silver
Ornament s
manufacturing
Unskilled 175 21.32 196.32
7th Oct 2009 Skilled 225 21.32 246.32
Highly skilled 250 21.32 271.32
51 Sweeping and Cleaning
Working in the
Municipalities/corporation areas 150 21.32 171.32
19th April
2010 Other areas 135 21.32 156.32
52 Domestic Workers
Household Workers 130 21.32 151.32
Care Takers(Childrens/ Elders) 134 0 134
9th Mar
2010
Cook 142 0 142
Other household Workers 130 0 130
Maid/ Driver/ Gardener/ Home
Nurse(Part Time) 146 0 146
Home Nurse (Full time) 150 0 150
Security/ Watch man/ Garden
Workers 142 0 142
Minimum wages in Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu: Minimum Wages w.e.f October 1, 2010
Sr.
No. Scheduled Employment
Basic Minimum
Wages V.D.A.
Total Minimum
Wages
1 Agarbathi Industry 69.73 38.57 108.30
2
Agriculture and works ancillary to Agriculture
a) Men Workers for 6 hr 100.00 0.00 100.00
b) Women Workers for 5 hr 85.00 0.00 85.00
3 Aerated Water Manufactory 70.00 44.46 114.46
4 Appalam Manufactory 93.42 51.77 145.19
5 Automobile Workshop 109.15 60.42 169.57
6 Auto Rickshaw and Taxi 138.50 76.69 215.19
7 Bakeries and Biscuits Manufactory 78.00 42.24 120.24
8 Bricks and Tiles Manufactory 74.00 39.60 113.60
9 Carpentry and Black Smith 127.00 78.18 205.18
10 Cashew Industry 132.50 15.20 147.70
11 Chemical and Fertilizers Industry 87.42 48.23 135.65
12 Cinema Industry 128.73 71.07 199.80
13
Coaching Academics that is to say tutorial
colleges, Technical Institutes, Primary Schools,
run on commercial lines without Govt. grant
other
than those run by Govt. and local bodies as the
case may be.
51.92 36.23 88.15
14 Coconut Peeling Industry 79.00 42.24 121.24
15 Coir Manufactory 90.00 53.00 143.00
16 Coffee Curing Works 73.00 39.60 112.60
17
Construction or Maintenance of Road and in
Building
Operations
117.00 63.36 180.36
18 Cotton Ginning , Pressing and Cotton Waste
Industry 91.00 51.76 142.76
19 Distribution of Liquid Petroleum Gas Cylinders 82.69 45.69 128.38
20 Electronics Industry 91.00 50.27 141.27
21 Fire Works Manufactory 31.50 61.04 92.54
22 Food Processing Industry 86.50 48.03 134.53
23 Footwear Making Industries 72.23 49.68 121.91
24 Employment in Forestry 39.00 72.15 111.15
25 General Engineering & Fabrication Industry 104.00 60.92 164.92
26 Gunny Industry 130.00 71.28 201.28
27 Gold and Silver Articles Manufactory 131.00 71.28 202.28
28 Granite Industry 130.26 72.07 202.33
29 Handloom Silk Weaving Industry Piece Rate
30 Handloom Weaving Industry Piece Rate
31 Hotel and Restaurants 98.85 72.60 171.45
32 Hospitals and Nursing Homes 107.19 59.38 166.57
33 Laundries and Washing Cloths (including
Woolen) 140.50 76.56 217.06
34 Leather Goods Manufactory 72.23 49.68 121.91
35
Loading and Unloading Operations in markets,
shandies
(fairs and market place) and other like places.
85.00 44.88 129.88
36 Match Manufacturing 68.50 36.96 105.46
37 Mat Weaving and Basket Making 75.00 39.60 114.60
38 Medical & Sales representative 129.73 72.09 201.82
39 Motion Picture Industry 103.07 56.84 159.91
40 Neera Tapping 154.00 84.48 238.48
41 Any oil Mill 83.00 47.72 130.72
42
a) Paper and other incidental processes
connected with
machine made paper Industry
87.27 48.23 135.50
b) Paper and other incidental Processes
connected with
Hand Made Paper
83.42 46.20 129.62
43
Plantation
a) Tea 78.00 50.25 128.25
b) Coffee 77.00 50.25 127.25
c) Rubber 81.50 50.25 131.75
44 Power Loom Industry 29.00 52.91 81.91
45 Polythene Processing Foam Item and Plastic
Manufactory 47.12 87.88 135.00
46 Printing Presses 72.81 40.12 112.93
47 Public Motor Transport 137.30 76.15 213.45
48 Rice Mill, Flour Mills and Dhall mills 88.50 47.52 136.02
49 Sago Industry 94.50 53.61 148.11
50 Salt Pans 89.00 47.52 136.52
51 Sea Food processing Industry 79.92 44.38 124.30
52 Security Guards 90.35 49.77 140.12
53 Sericulture Industry 95.00 52.80 147.80
54 Shops and Commercial Establishments 78.88 43.65 122.53
55 Silk Twisting Industry 97.00 52.80 149.80
56 Soap Manufactory 122.00 71.08 193.08
57 Synthetic Gem Cutting Industry Piece Rate
58 Tailoring Industry 70.19 38.58 108.77
59 Textile mills (Apprentice) 110.00 60.72 170.72
60 Timber Industry 132.50 71.28 203.78
61 Tin Container Manufactory 91.00 50.26 141.26
62
Tobacco Manufactory
a) Beedi making (other than beedi rolling) 96.15 50.77 146.92
b) Beedi Rolling (per 1000 beedis) 37.20 48.62 85.82
c) Scented and chewing Tobacco 67.50 36.96 104.46
d) Snuff Industry 78.00 42.24 120.24
63 Guaranteed Time Rates of Wages Tobacco
(including Beedi making) Manufactory (Guaranteed Time Rates)
64 Vessels Utensils Manufactory 72.00 39.60 111.60
65 Tanneries and Leather Goods Manufactory 57.00 47.83 104.83