Minimum Wages Act, 1948,

After independence, the labour laws came into force in 1948. It declares significant legislations such as the Payment of Bonus Act of 1965, the Workmen Compensation Act of 1923, the Minimum Wages Act of 1948, the Industrial Dispute Act of 1947, etc. 

All these Labour laws were given priority as they gave power to both the Central and State Governments to legislate rules. 

 The legislations play an essential role in maintaining and protecting the right and interests of the workers. They are the in-charge of protecting the rights and interests of the workers, providing employment opportunities to the workers, protecting employees from exploitation, creating a healthy work environment, etc.

What are the Minimum wages act 1948?

The Minimum wages act of 1948 brings equality and justice to the people of India. Wages of every labour are determined by the fixing experts and guided by the Fair Wage Committee.

The wage committee the exact minimum wages of every employee. Recently, on the 15th session of the Indian labour conference, the wage committee also explained the necessary physical requirements and health insurance for the labourers.

What is the objective of the Minimum Wage Act?

There are 10 objectives of the Minimum Wage Act. Those are the following,

• Fixing the minimum rates of wages which are provided to the employees. It is revised every five years. 
• Securing an adequate living wage for all the labourers in public.
• Scheduling the daily working hours of the employees and fixing the extra amount for overtime. 
• Preventing the exploitation of workers by employers. 
• Ensuring the labourers can maintain a standard of living.
• Providing basic physical needs, good health and comfort to the employees.
• Investigating the employers when they fail to provide minimum wages to the workers.
• Establishing advisory boards to regulate and maintain the provisions of the act.
• Preventing any employer from wrongfully infringing the right of any employees.
• Authorising the Central and State Governments to make rules and regulations for this act. 

Criteria for fixing Minimum Wages under Minimum Wages Act 1948?

According to section 3 of the Minimum Wages Act 1948, the appropriate government includes local, State and Central governments, responsible altogether for fixing the minimum wages for every labour.  The minimum wage is not the same for every state. A diverse rate is set according to hours, days, months or other wage periods and or fixed as per the various zone or areas.

 The minimum wages are fixed according to the following criteria.

Time duration

The minimum rate is set according to the duration of the work done by the labourers.

Piece rate

Through the Piece rate, the minimum wages are calculated by the number of pieces manufactured by the workplace. 

Overtime Rate

 Here, the minimum rate is fixed by the overtime done by the labour regardless of the time or piece rate.

Compliances

Form I – Register of Fines
Form II – Register of deductions for damage or loss
Form III – Annual Return
Form IV – Overtime Register
Form V – Muster Roll
Form VI – Application by the employee under section 20(2)
Form VIA – Group Application under section 21(1)
Form VII – Application by Inspector or Person under section 23(20)
Form VIII – Form of Authority
Form IX – Form of Summons
Form X – Register of Wages
Form XI – Wage Slip