India’s Labour Codes: A Transformative Step Towards Worker Dignity and Security
At a time when the country is struggling with the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, in a major relief to different category of workers engaged in various scheduled employments in the central sphere, the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India has notified and revised the Minimum Wages rate of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) with effect from 1.4.2021.
“The Labour Bureau compiles the Consumer Price Index for industrial workers (CPI-IW) to revise the VDA.” The state used the average CPI-IW for the months of July to December 2020 to undertake the latest VDA revision.
Shri Santosh Gangwar, Labour & Employment Minister said “this will benefit about 1.50 crore workers engaged in various scheduled employments in central sphere across the country. This hike in VDA will support these workers particularly in the current pandemic times”.
implemented starting from 1st April 2021.
Rates of wages for different categories of employees
| Schedule employment | Category of employees | Rate of wages including Variable Dearness Allowance Area wise per day (in Rupees) | ||
| A | B | C | ||
| Construction or maintenance of roads or runways or building operations etc. | Unskilled | 645 | 539 | 431 |
| Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor | 714 | 609 | 505 | |
| Skilled/Clerical | 784 | 714 | 609 | |
| Highly Skilled | 853 | 784 | 714 | |
| Sweeping and Cleaning | — | 645 | 539 | 431 |
| Loading and Unloading workers | — | 645 | 539 | 431 |
| Watch and Ward | Without Arms | 784 | 714 | 609 |
| With Arms | 853 | 784 | 714 | |
| Agriculture | Unskilled | 411 | 375 | 372 |
| Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor | 449 | 413 | 379 | |
| Skilled/Clerical | 488 | 449 | 412 | |
| Highly Skilled | 540 | 502 | 449 |
For Mines employees
| Category | Above Ground | Below Ground |
| Unskilled | 431 | 539 |
| Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor | 539 | 645 |
| Skilled/Clerical | 645 | 752 |
| Highly Skilled | 752 | 840 |
The rates fixed for scheduled employment in Central sphere are applicable to the establishments under the authority of Central Government, Railway Administration, Mines, Oil fields, major ports or any corporation established by the Central Government. These rates equally applicable to contract and casual employees/workers.
The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) Inspecting Officers ensure the enforcement of the Minimum Wages Act across the country for employees engaged in scheduled employment in the central sphere.
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