Delhi labour dept issues advisory to implement the Minimum Wages Act, but experts say paucity of inspectors makes it impossible

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In an advisory issued on Monday, the Delhi labour department observes that outsourced companies engaged in operations of government agencies were seriously violating the Minimum Wages Act. The advisory seeks to remind the employers to enforce the law with immediate effect or face legal consequences.

The advisory was issued after Delhi labour minister Gopal Rai conducted a 10-day drive at various companies and establishments to enquire about the extent of violations of the Minimum Wages Act.

“During the drive, statements by workers and employees revealed that outsourced workers employed by contractors in government establishments or government hospitals are not being paid notified rates of minimum wages, which were effective from 1 November 2018,” reads the advisory signed by Additional Labour Commissioner Dr Rajender Dhar.

The minimum wages to be paid to labourers was increased by 34 per cent, by a notification issued by the Government of Delhi last year. At present, unskilled labourers are entitled to a minimum wage of Rs 14,000 per month, semi-skilled labourers, Rs 15,400 per month, and skilled labourers, Rs 16,962.

A recent complaint in the Delhi Jal Board claims that though the outsourced companies engaged by the board pay their labourers as per the requirement of the Minimum Wages Act, they take a chunk of the money back by applying coercive measures.

Source: First Post