J&K govt hikes minimum wages of daily wagers, casual labourers

Jammu, April 23 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday approved hike in minimum wages of daily wagers, including the casual labourers in all government departments from existing Rs 225 per day to Rs 300 per day as an interim measure till the minimum wage rates were revised by the Labour and Employment department.
The Labour and Employment department has intimated that the process shall be completed within three months.
“Daily wagers are playing a significant role in the development of UT with exemplary commitment and dedication to work. The interim measure has been taken to benefit a sizable portion of the workforce.
“We are firmly committed to ensure the welfare and well-being of all daily wagers and the government will leave no stone unturned to establish principles of equality, welfare and social justice in the governance,” the Lt Governor said.
The Labour and Employment Department has prepared a comparative statement of Minimum Wages prevalent in other States/UTs of the country. As the process of notifying the minimum wages by the Labour and Employment department will take at least three months, a decision for interim measures was taken to benefit the daily wagers in all government departments and those of municipalities and local bodies, he added.
Sinha said, “While we are fast-tracking the process on minimum wages, the interim measure reflects the UT administration’s concern to make growth and progress inclusive.
“Together we can confront the challenges of the future and there is no doubt the Daily Wagers and Casual Labourers will also carry forward the process of Social and Economic change,” he added.