The government has hiked the minimum wages of workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector, by Rs 4-7 per day, to help them cope with the rising cost of living, an official release said.
These workers are engaged in various sectors–such as building construction, loading and unloading, watch and ward, sweeping, cleaning, housekeeping, and mining–within central sphere establishments. The new wage rates, which has been hiked by revising the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), will take effect from October 1.
The minimum wage rates are categorised based on skill levels—unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled—as well as by geographical area—A, B, and C.
After revision, minimum wage rates in area “A” for workers in construction, sweeping, cleaning, loading & unloading for unskilled work will be Rs 783 a day ( Rs 20,358 per month); for semi-skilled Rs 868 a day( Rs 22,568 per month); for skilled, clerical and watch & wards without arms Rs 954 a day( Rs 24,804 per month) and for highly skilled and watch & ward with arms Rs1,035 a day( Rs 26,910 per month).
In April, the wage rates were Rs 778 a day; Rs 862 a day; Rs 948 a day; and Rs 1028 a day, respectively, for unskilled, semi skilled, skilled, and highly skilled workers. For area “B” and “C”, hikes of similar range have been announced.
The Central Government revises the VDA twice a year, effective from April 1 and October 1, based on the six-month average increase in the Consumer Price Index for industrial workers.