�Minimum Wages Act, 1948
Wages
Living Wage
Fair Wage
Minimum Wage
The living wage
must provide not merely for absolute essentials such as food, shelter and clothing but for “a
condition of frugal comfort estimated by current human standards.”
Fair wage lies between the minimum wage, which must be paid in any event, and the living wage, which is the goal.
A minimum wage is that wage which is sufficient to cover the bare physical needs of a worker and his family.
Key Sections covered under Minimum Wages Act, 1948
Section 3 (3) implies that the appropriate government can fix or revise the minimum wages based on the type of employment, locality as well as the frequency of payment of wages
Section 4 implies that the minimum wages are set by the appropriate government in consideration of cost of living index as well as concessions on the essential goods
Section 11 suggests that the minimum wages should be paid in cash, it might be paid partially and fully in kind if the appropriate government finds it necessary and the calculation of payment of wages in kind would be made accordingly
Key Sections covered under Minimum Wages Act, 1948
Section 12 implies that the employer must pay the minimum wages to the scheduled employees without making any deductions except authorization in the given time frame.
Section 13 include the fixation of working hours as well as weekly one day off.
Section 14 includes payment of wages at overtime rates by the employers if the employee has to work beyond the working hours.
Section 15 states that if the employee works less than the working hours then the payment of wage would be made according to amount of work, provided it’s not omission of work allocation by the employer
Key Sections covered under Minimum Wages Act, 1948
Section 18 states that the Employers should maintain register about the employee employed, work performed by them and wages distributed with respect to that
Section 19 suggests that the appropriate government to appoint an inspector deemed fit for the purpose of the act and define the local limits of his authority
Section 20 deals with the appointment of Commissioner for Workmen’s compensation by the appropriate government. In case of any claims, the person can approach this authority
Section 22 deals with the punishment in case of offence, its either fine of Rs 500 or imprisonment for 6 months or both.
Key Sections covered under Minimum Wages Act, 1948
Section 23 states provides employer exemption from liability in cases where he made complaint of actual offender being someone else and could back his claim with due diligence and proving that the offence was conducted without his knowledge or consent.
Section 27 provides State Government to make amendments in the minimum wages with not less than 3 months of prior notice
Section 29 provides Centre Government power to direct the state government regarding implementation of this act