(MENAFN- KNN India) Minister of State for Labour and Employment, (Independent Charge) Bandaru Dattatreya chaired a Tripartite meeting on the Labour Code on Wages Bill, formulated by his ministry on March 13 at New Delhi. Focusing towards simplification of the rules regarding payment of wages to workers, the Bill propose to replace age old Acts of the government namely the Minimum Wages Act, 1948; the Payment of Wages Act, 1936; the Payment of Bonus Act,1965 and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.
The meeting was attended by representatives from 40 stakeholders; National Trade Unions, Federation and Chambers of Industries and state governments. While representatives of the Central Trade Unions expressed their fear in the meeting that the provisions in the Bill may dilute the various rights conferred to the workers through the Acts proposed to be replaced, representatives of the federations of industries and the state representatives welcomed the move.
The significant features of the new code is that is propose to replace the existing 64 classification of work for minimum wage purpose to a base minimum wage to be fixed by every state government with specified multipliers for the skill required, cost of living at a particular place, nature of job, locational difficulties etc. to determine minimum wage for a particular job at a particular place.
Other significant features of the Bill are compulsory payment of wages through bank and limitations of any deductions from wage of a worker to maximum 50 per cent of the wage for a period. The Bill also proposes constitution of minimum wage advisory board in states which will have the power of civil courts.
Representatives of MSME associations mentioned at the meeting the huge employment potential of the sector and need for simplification of labour rules for the sector, so that the owner manager could concentrate on developing his business. They requested the minister to make the disciplinary measures like fines, criminal proceedings for non-compliance more flexible for MSMEs. (KNN/DB)
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