Girish Soni wants to ensure minimum wages to all labourers

NEW DELHI: Intiating a move aimed at implementing various welfare measures for unorganised sector workers, Delhi Labour Minister Girish Soni has directed his department to ensure that wages are paid to all workers as per the minimum notified rates.

"Delhi government has been notifying the rates of minimum wages for different class of employees in the scheduled employments from time to time. The latest order was issued on October 3, 2013 in respect to the 27 scheduled employments but these orders have not been enforced by some employers," Soni said.

Expressing concern in view of the complaints received from workers about non-payment of the notified minimum rates of wages, he noted workers employed through contractors are not being paid minimum rates of wages even though the contractors get full wages from the principal employers.

"The government is committed to ensuring the welfare of contract labourers. He said that while the minimum rates of wages in Delhi are on par with the rates of central government.

The Labour Minister said the present rates of minimum wages are Rs 8086, per month and Rs 311 per day for un-skilled workers, Rs 8918 per month or Rs 343 per day for semi-skilled workers and Rs 9802 per month or Rs 377 per day for skilled workers.

For non-technical supervisory staff and clerical staff, the rates are based on educational qualifications.

Soni further said that in order to redress the grievances of the employees relating to non-payment of minimum wages from registered trade unions on the subject and to insulate the employers from such complaints, it is in the interest of the employers to make the payment of wages through cheque or through ECS (Electronic Clearing System).

He directed all employers to make payment of wages to their employees by cheque or crediting the wages in the employees account through ECS after obtaining authorization from the employees.