Lok Sabha Question No. 5166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Per Capita Income of Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5166 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

PER CAPITA INCOME OF WORKERS

5166. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  work  on  strategies  to  enhance per capita income by more wages for workers through higher skills and

enhancing minimum wages, besides improving the social security net; (b)if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government keeping in mind that this calls for a concerted calibrated approach through collaborative efforts of Government, industry and workers' unions; and (c)if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (c):  The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, provides for minimum wages to workers in scheduled employments and increase in the rates of wages from time to time. Under  the provisions of the Act, the Central Government and the State Governments, as appropriate Government, fix, periodically  review  and  revise  the  minimum  wages  of  the  employees employed  in  the  Scheduled  employments  including  agriculture  in  their respective jurisdiction. Accordingly, the minimum rates of wages in the scheduled employments in the Central sphere were last revised by the Central Government in 2017. Further, in order to take care of the rising prices, the Central Government revises the Variable Dearness Allowance    (V.D.A)    on    basic    rates    of      minimum  wages  every  six months effective from 1st  April and 1st October  of  every  year  on    the Contd..2/-

basis  of  Consumer  Price  Index  for  Industrial  workers.  V.D.A.  was  last revised w.e.f. 01.10.2021. A statement showing increase in the rates of minimum  wages  on  account  of  periodic  increase  in  minimum  rates  of wage  and  V.D.A  thereon  in  the  Central  Sphere  is  at  Annexure-I.  The details of periodic revision of minimum rates of wages in the Scheduled employments in the State sphere are not centrally maintained.

On account of the constant endeavor of the Central Government  to  extend  the  coverage  of  minimum  wages  to  all  sets  of workers,  the  provisions  of  the  Minimum  Wages  Act,  1948,  have  been rationalized and amalgamated in the Code on Wages Act, 2019, as passed by the Parliament and notified on 08.08.2019. The Code on Wages, 2019, provides  for  universal  minimum  wage  across  employments  in  organized and  unorganized  sector.  Further,  section  6(6)  of  the  Code,  inter  alia, provides  that  for  the  purpose  of  fixation  of  minimum  rate  of  wages  the appropriate  government  shall  take  into  account  the  skill  of  workers required  for  working  under  the  categories  of  unskilled,  skilled,  semiskilled and highly skilled.

The  Government  is  committed  to  provide  social  security  to unorganised sector workers by formulating suitable welfare schemes on matters  relating  to  (i)  life  and  disability  cover,  (ii)  health  and  maternity benefits,  (iii)  old  age  protection  and  (iv)  any  other  benefit  as  may  be determined by the Central Government. In this direction, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  (PMSBY)  provide  for  life  and  disability  cover  at  the  annual premium of Rs. 342/- (Rs. 330/- for PMJJBY + Rs.12/- for PMSBY) through banks. The benefits under the schemes are Rs.4.0 lakh on death due to accident,  Rs.  2.0  lakh  on  death  due  to  any  cause.  Rs.  2.0  lakh  on permanent  disability  and  Rs.  1.0  lakh  on  partial  disability.  Ayushman Bharat Scheme is a universal health scheme to take care of the health and maternity benefits of workers. In order to provide old age protection to unorganised sector workers, the Government of India has launched a flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan Yojana (PMSYM)  in  March  2019,  which  is  a  voluntary  and  contributory  pension scheme.  The  workers  in  the  age  group  of  18-40  years  whose  monthly income is Rs.15000/-or less and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS can join the scheme. Under the scheme, 50%  monthly  contribution  is payable by Contd..3/-

the  beneficiary  and  equal  matching  contribution  is  paid  by  the  Central Government.  Under  the  scheme,  beneficiaries  are  provided  monthly minimum assured pension of Rs.3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years. Enrolment to the Scheme is done through the Common Service Centres, with  its  network  of  3.50  lakh  Centres  across  the  country.  In  addition eligible persons can also self-enroll through visiting the portal.

Apart  from  above,  under  Skill  India  Mission,  Ministry  of  Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) for skill based training of the  youth  across  the  country  under  Short  Term  Training  (STT)  courses and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Under PMKVY, STT is linked to placement, while RPL does not mandate placements as it recognizes the existing  skills  of  candidate.  Presently,  the third  phase  of  PMKVY  i.e. PMKVY 3.0 is being implemented.

*                                                ********

Annexure  referred  to  in  reply  to  parts  (a)  to  (c)  of  the  lok  sabha  unstarred  question  no.  5166  for  answer  on 04.04.2022.

Statement showing increased rates of minimum wages on account of revision of VDA from 19.01.2017 to 01.10.2021.

| Scheduled                                         | Category of                                                                   | Area A                                                                      | Area A                                                                      | Area B                                                                      | Area B                                                                      | Area C                                                                      | Area C                                                                      |
|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Employment                                        | Workers                                                                       | 19.01.2017                                                                  | 01.10.2021                                                                  | 19.01.2017                                                                  | 01.10.2021                                                                  | 19.01.2017                                                                  | 01.10.2021                                                                  |
| Agriculture                                       | Unskilled                                                                     | 333                                                                         | 417                                                                         | 303                                                                         | 380                                                                         | 300                                                                         | 377                                                                         |
| Agriculture                                       | Semi- skilled/Unskilled Supervisory                                           | 364                                                                         | 455                                                                         | 335                                                                         | 419                                                                         | 307                                                                         | 384                                                                         |
| Agriculture                                       | Skilled/Clerical                                                              | 395                                                                         | 495                                                                         | 364                                                                         | 455                                                                         | 334                                                                         | 418                                                                         |
| Agriculture                                       | Highly-skilled                                                                | 438                                                                         | 547                                                                         | 407                                                                         | 509                                                                         | 364                                                                         | 455                                                                         |
| Sweeping and Cleaning                             | Unskilled                                                                     | 523                                                                         | 654                                                                         | 437                                                                         | 546                                                                         | 350                                                                         | 437                                                                         |
| Watch and Ward                                    | Without Arms ( Upgraded to skilled with training)                             | 637                                                                         | 795                                                                         | 579                                                                         | 724                                                                         | 494                                                                         | 617                                                                         |
| Watch and Ward                                    | With Arms( Upgraded to highly skilled for supervision)                        | 693                                                                         | 864                                                                         | 637                                                                         | 795                                                                         | 579                                                                         | 724                                                                         |
| Loading & Unloading                               | Unskilled                                                                     | 523                                                                         | 654                                                                         | 437                                                                         | 546                                                                         | 350                                                                         | 437                                                                         |
| Construction                                      | Unskilled                                                                     | 523                                                                         | 654                                                                         | 437                                                                         | 546                                                                         | 350                                                                         | 437                                                                         |
|                                                   | Semi- skilled/Unskilled Supervisory                                           | 579                                                                         | 724                                                                         | 494                                                                         | 617                                                                         | 410                                                                         | 512                                                                         |
|                                                   | Skilled/Clerical                                                              | 637                                                                         | 795                                                                         | 579                                                                         | 724                                                                         | 494                                                                         | 617                                                                         |
|                                                   | Highly-skilled                                                                | 693                                                                         | 864                                                                         | 637                                                                         | 795                                                                         | 579                                                                         | 724                                                                         |
|                                                   | 19.01.2017                                                                    | 19.01.2017                                                                  | 19.01.2017                                                                  | 19.01.2017                                                                  | 19.01.2017                                                                  | 01.10.2021                                                                  | 01.10.2021                                                                  |
| Workers engaged in Stone Mines for Stone Breaking | 1.Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift: *   | 1.Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift: * | 1.Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift: * | 1.Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift: * | 1.Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift: * | 1.Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift: * | 1.Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift: * |
| and Stone                                         | (a) Soft Soil                                                                 | 351                                                                         | 351                                                                         | 351                                                                         | 441                                                                         | 441                                                                         | 441                                                                         |
| and Stone                                         | (b) Soft Soil with Rock                                                       | 531                                                                         | 531                                                                         | 531                                                                         | 663                                                                         | 663                                                                         | 663                                                                         |
| Crushing                                          | (c) Rock                                                                      | 703                                                                         | 703                                                                         | 703                                                                         | 878                                                                         | 878                                                                         | 878                                                                         |
| Crushing                                          | 2. Removal and Staking of rejected stones with 50 metres lead/1.5metres lift* | 283                                                                         | 283                                                                         | 283                                                                         | 354                                                                         | 354                                                                         | 354                                                                         |
|                                                   | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category **         | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category **       | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category **       | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category **       | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category **       | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category **       | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category **       |
|                                                   | (a) 1.0 inch to 1.5 inches                                                    | 2171                                                                        | 2171                                                                        | 2171                                                                        | 2701                                                                        | 2701                                                                        | 2701                                                                        |
|                                                   | (b) Above 1.5 Inches to 3.0 Inches                                            | 1857                                                                        | 1857                                                                        | 1857                                                                        | 2310                                                                        | 2310                                                                        | 2310                                                                        |
|                                                   | (c) Above 3.0 Inches to 5 Inches                                              | 1088                                                                        | 1088                                                                        | 1088                                                                        | 1356                                                                        | 1356                                                                        | 1356                                                                        |
|                                                   | (d) Above 5.0 Inches                                                          | 893                                                                         | 893                                                                         | 893                                                                         | 1114                                                                        | 1114                                                                        | 1114                                                                        |
| Non - Coal Mines                                  |                                                                               |                                                                             |                                                                             |                                                                             | Below Ground                                                                | Below Ground                                                                | Below Ground                                                                |
| Non - Coal Mines                                  |                                                                               | 19.01.2017                                                                  |                                                                             | 01.10.2021                                                                  | 19.01.2017                                                                  |                                                                             | 01.10.2021                                                                  |
| Non - Coal Mines                                  | Unskilled                                                                     | 350                                                                         |                                                                             | 437                                                                         | 437                                                                         |                                                                             | 546                                                                         |
| Non - Coal Mines                                  | Semi- skilled/Unskilled Supervisory                                           | 437                                                                         |                                                                             | 546                                                                         | 523                                                                         |                                                                             | 654                                                                         |
| Non - Coal Mines                                  | Skilled/Clerical                                                              | 523                                                                         |                                                                             | 654                                                                         | 610                                                                         |                                                                             | 762                                                                         |

## Classification of Area

| AREA - 'A'        | AREA - 'A'   | AREA - 'A'            | AREA - 'A'   | AREA - 'A'         | AREA - 'A'   |
|-------------------|--------------|-----------------------|--------------|--------------------|--------------|
| Ahmedabad         | (UA)         | Hyderabad             | (UA)         | Faridabad complex  |              |
| Bangaluru         | (UA)         | Kanpur                | (UA)         | Ghaziabad          |              |
| Kolkata           | (UA)         | Lucknow               | (UA)         | Gurgaon            |              |
| Delhi             | (UA)         | Chennai               | (UA)         | Noida              |              |
| Greater Mumbai    | (UA)         | Nagpur                | (UA)         | Secunderabad       |              |
| Navi Mumbai       |              | Pune                  | (UA)         |                    |              |
| AREA - 'B'        | AREA - 'B'   | AREA - 'B'            | AREA - 'B'   | AREA - 'B'         | AREA - 'B'   |
| Agra              | (UA)         | Gwalior               | (UA)         | Port Blair         | (UA)         |
| Ajmer             | (UA)         | Hubli-Dharwad         | (M. Corpn)   | Puducherry         | (UA)         |
| Aligarh           | (UA)         | Indore                | (UA)         | Raipur             | (UA)         |
| Allahabad         | (UA)         | Jabalpur              | (UA)         | Raurkela           | (UA)         |
| Amravati          | (M. Corpn)   | Jaipur                | (M. Corpn)   | Rajkot             | (UA)         |
| Amritsar          | (UA)         | Jalandhar             | (UA)         | Ranchi             | (UA)         |
| Asansol           | (UA)         | Jalandhar-Cantt.      | (UA)         | Saharanpur         | (M. Corpn)   |
| Aurangabad        | (UA)         | Jammu                 | (UA)         | Salem              | (UA)         |
| Bareilly          | (UA)         | Jamnagar              | (UA)         | Sangli             | (UA)         |
| Belgaum           | (UA)         | Jamshedpur            | (UA)         | Shillong           |              |
| Bhavnagar         | (UA)         | Jhansi                | (UA)         | Siliguri           | (UA)         |
| Bhiwandi          | (UA)         | Jodhpur               | (UA)         | Solapur            | (M. Corpn)   |
| Bhopal            | (UA)         | Kannur                | (UA)         | Srinagar           | (UA)         |
| Bhubaneshwar      | (UA)         | Kochi                 | (UA)         | Surat              | (UA)         |
| Bikaner           | (M. Corpn)   | Kolhapur              | (UA)         | Thiruvananthapuram | (UA)         |
| Bokaro Steel City | (UA)         | Kollam                | (UA)         | Thrissur           | (UA)         |
| Chandigarh        | (UA)         | Kota                  | (M. Corpn)   | Tiruchirappalli    | (UA)         |
| Coimbatore        | (UA)         | Kozhikode             | (UA)         | Tiruppur           | (UA)         |
| Cuttack           | (UA)         | Ludhiana              | (M. Corpn)   | Ujjain             | (M. Corpn)   |
| Dehradun          | (UA)         | Madurai               | (UA)         | Vadodara           | (UA)         |
| Dhanbad           | (UA)         | Malappuram            | (UA)         | Varanasi           | (UA)         |
| Durgapur          | (UA)         | Malegaon              | (UA)         | Vasai- Virar City  | (M. Corpn)   |
| Durg-Bhilai Nagar | (UA)         | Mangalore             | (UA)         | Vijayawada         | (UA)         |
| Erode             | (UA)         | Meerut                | (UA)         | Vishakhapatnam     | (M. Corpn)   |
| Firozabad         |              | Moradabad             | (M. Corpn)   | Warangal           | (UA)         |
| Goa               |              | Mysore                | (UA)         | Gorakhpur          | (UA)         |
| NandedWaghala     | (M. Corpn)   | Greater Visakhapatnam | (M. Corpn)   | Nasik              | (UA)         |
| Gulbarga          | (UA)         | Nellore               | (UA)         | Guntur             | (UA)         |
| Panchkula         | (UA)         | Guwahati              | (UA)         | Patna              | (UA)         |

Area 'C' will comprise all areas not mentioned in this list.

NB : U.A. stands for Urban Agglomeration.

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