The Code on Wages, 2019 In a labour surplus country like India, it is difficult to have a uniform and comprehensive wage policy for all sectors of the economy. Wages in the organized sector are generally determined through negotiations and settlements between the employer and the employees. In the unorganized sector, however, labour is vulnerable to exploitation due to illiteracy and lack of effective bargaining power. The Minimum Wages Act,1948, was subsumed into the The Code on Wages, 2019 effective from 21st November 2025. It safeguards the interests of the workers as they are vulnerable to exploitation due to illiteracy and lack of bargaining power and binds the employers to pay the minimum wages to the workers as fixed under the statute for the work performed during a given period, which cannot be reduced by collective agreement or an individual contract. Under the Code on Wages, 2019, all workers to receive a statutory right minimum wage payment. The minimum rates of wages also include Special Allowance i.e. Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) linked to Consumer Price Index Number, which is revised twice a year effective from1 April and1 October. The Central Government and 27 States/UTs have adopted VDA as a component of minimum wage. Both the Central and the State Governments have been revising the minimum wages in respect of scheduled employments from time to time. Minimum wages Both Central and State Governments are appropriate Governments to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of the workers employed in the scheduled employments under their respective jurisdictions. The minimum rates of wages including the basic rates and Variable Dearness Allowance payable w.e.f. 01.04.2025 shall be as under: (Wages in Rs. per day) w .e f. 01.04.2025 Scheduled Employment Category of Workers Area A Area B Area C Old Revised Old Revised Old Revised Agriculture Unskilled 497 514 454 47O 449 465 Semi-skilled /Unskilled Supervisory 542 562 499 516 459 47 5 Skilled/Clerical 589 610 542 562 498 515 Highly-skilled 652 675 607 628 542 562 Sweeping and Cleaning Unskilled 778 805 651 674 522 541 Watch and Ward Without Arms 948 981 862 893 734 760 With Arms 1028 1065 948 981 862 893 Loading & Unloading 778 805 651 674 522 541 Construction Unskilled 778 805 651 674 522 541 Semi-skilled /Unskilled Supervisory 862 893 734 760 610 632 Skilled/Clerical 948 981 862 893 734 760 Highly-skilled 1028 1065 948 981 862 893 Old Revised Workers engaged in Stone Mines 1.Excavation & removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift:* (a) Soft Soil 526 545 (b) Soft Soil with Rock 790 818 (c) Rock 1046 1083 2. Removal and Staking of rejected stones with 50 metres lead/1.5 metreslift* 423 438 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category** (a) 1.0 inch to 1.5 inches 3212 3323 (b) Above 1.5 Inches to 3.0 Inches 2747 2842 (c) Above 3.0 Inches to 5 Inches 1613 1669 (d) Above 5.0 Inches 1326 1372 Non - Coal Mines Above Ground Below Ground Old Revised Old Revised Unskilled 522 541 651 674 Semi-skilled /Unskilled Supervisory 651 674 778 805 Skilled/Clerical 778 805 906 938 Highly-skilled 906 938 1013 1049 * Per 2.831 cubic meters or 100 cubic feet ** Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters or 200 cubic feet To access the complete notification, click here