The North News
Chandigarh, March 21
Punjab’s Labour Department is reviewing a proposal to increase the state’s minimum wages, Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced during the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session on Friday. The move comes in response to rising inflation and concerns over workers’ financial well-being.
Responding to a question from MLA Kulwant Singh, Sond confirmed that the government is considering the proposal and explained the two mechanisms for wage adjustments. Minimum wages are revised twice a year—on 1 March and 1 September—based on fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The most recent revision took place on 1 September 2024, and the next is scheduled for 1 March 2025.
In addition to CPI-based revisions, Sond highlighted the need to update the base rate of minimum wages, which was last revised in 2012. He expressed optimism that a new base rate would be established in 2025, ensuring fairer wages for workers across different categories.
The Punjab Labour Department had previously adjusted wages on 1 September 2024, using CPI data from the central government. Under this revision, monthly wages were set at ₹10,996 for unskilled workers, ₹11,776 for semi-skilled workers, ₹12,673 for skilled workers, and ₹13,705 for highly skilled workers. Employees in staff categories were also included, with wages fixed at ₹16,166 for Category A, ₹14,496 for Category B, ₹12,996 for Category C, and ₹11,796 for Category D.
The proposed wage hike is expected to provide much-needed relief to workers struggling with the rising cost of living. The government aims to finalise the new base rate within the year, reinforcing its commitment to fair wages and labour welfare.
