Manipur Labour Minister Heikham Dingo Singh on Tuesday assured the House that revised rate of wages for labour will be done within August as the present rate is inappropriate with the present scenario.
The minister was responding to the starred question raised by opposition MLA K Ranjit Singh during the ongoing session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to the starred question, Dingo said the present rate on wages for labour was fixed on December 27, 2016 for Schedule Employments 15 whereas for Schedule Employment 9, it was fixed on September 1 of 2021.
Dingo said the present rate per day for skilled labour is Rs 278; semi-skilled labour is Rs 248 and unskilled labour is Rs 225.
The minister further informed the House that there is provision for review of wages as per section 3(1) (b) Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and if necessary, the wages rate can be revised.
Supplementing the starred question, MLA Ranjit said that in the present market rate even the rate of essential commodities has increased. And the present wages of labour are not appropriate with the present price hike, he added.
Responding to the supplementary question, labour minister Dingo said he had a meeting with the leaders and representatives of the labour union and the process for wage rate revision has already been initiated.
To increase the wage, an advisory committee needs to be constituted. Moreover, comments and opinions from the public are also needed, the Minister said and assured the House that the committee will complete the revision work to increase the wage rate for labour in August.
