What is the nature of minimum wages statutory or advisory in nature?
Q. Which of the following is true?- Published on 13 Jan 17a. Minimum wages amounts for labourers are only advisory in nature
b. Minimum wages amounts for labourers are statutory and constitutional in nature
c. Minimum wages for labourers currently are only statutory in nature
d. Minimum wages amounts for labourers are only constitutional in nature
ANSWER: Minimum wages amounts for labourers are only advisory in nature
- Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment has said that the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 will be amended to make minimum wages statutory and binding.
- Minimum wages for unskilled, semiskilled and skilled labourers currently remain only advisory in nature.
- The Payment of Bonus Amendment Act 2015 has been passed by the Parliament, providing for better coverage of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees State Insurance Corporation(ESIC) facilities.
- At present there are 43 central laws related to employees’ welfare, some dating back to the year 1925.
- All 43 laws will be simplified into four different codes on wages, industrial relations, social security and safe working conditions.
- The Centre is contemplating on amending Plantations Labour Act, 1951 to enable local bodies and State and Central governments to undertake development works inside private plantations to ensure the welfare of workers.
