No increase in minimum wages of 32 sectors

Mumbai: There has been no increase in the minimum wages of 32 industrial sectors over the past four years as the state government has failed to form the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee (MWAC).

Sources in the administration said that despite there being no delay from their side, the decision had not been taken due to conflict within the government.

The failure to constitute the MWAC has irked labour unions which have given an ultimatum to the state government for formation of the MWAC. They have also warned the government of approaching the Bombay high court if the former does not form the committee.

As per Minimum Wages Act of 1948, the state government is responsible for modifying minimum wages, every five years. The Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) has sent a letter to Maharashtra labor minister Sambhaji Nilangekar-Patil, citing this provision. The letter also lists 32 industries where minimum wages have not been changed since 2010.

D.L. Karad, national vice-president and Maharashtra president, CITU, said, “As per provisions of the law, MWAC has to issue directions to particular industries asking them to increase minimum wages, and a notification has to be issued subsequently. The government does not have to pay anything from its pocket, but industry-owners will have to pay the wages.”