Odisha Government has announced a hike in minimum wage rates for various categories of workers across the state

Bhubaneswar: 10/7/24:The Odisha State Government has announced a hike in minimum wage rates for various categories of workers across the state after the Cabinet approved the proposal to revise the minimum wage on Wednesday.

This move comes under the powers conferred by the Minimum Wages Act, of 1948.

According to the notification, the proposed minimum daily wage rates have been raised for unskilled workers from Rs. 352 to Rs. 450, for semi-skilled workers from Rs 392 to Rs 500, for skilled workers from Rs 442 to Rs 550, and for highly skilled workers from Rs 502 to Rs 600.

In addition to these base rates, workers will be entitled to a Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), which will be declared every six months on April 1st and October 1st. The VDA will be linked to the All India Consumer Price Index Number for industrial workers

Key points of the notification include:

1. The minimum rates of wages are all inclusive of basic rates, the cost of living allowances and the supply of any essential commodities.
2. The daily minimum rates of wages shall be inclusive of wages payable for the weekly day of rest.
3. The rates are applicable to employees of contractors as well.
4. Disabled persons will receive the same wages as workers in their respective categories.
5. There will be no discrimination between male and female workers in terms of wage payment.
6. An adult employee is expected to work for eight hours per day, excluding a half-hour rest period.
7. The notification also provides definitions for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled work.

• • Unskilled: Simple operations requiring little to no skill or experience.
  • Semi-skilled: Some skills acquired through job experience, performed under supervision.
  • Skilled: Competence gained through experience or training, requiring initiative and judgment.
  • Highly skilled: High degree of perfection and competence, acquired through intensive training or long experience, involving full responsibility for decisions.