Mandatory minimum wages proposal sent for LawMin opinion

The proposal on mandatory minimum wages across the country has been sent to Law Ministry for its opinion but the Cabinet note on the same is unlikely before the Winter Session of Parliament.
"The proposal has been sent to the Law Ministry. Since, now there is the model code of conduct because of upcoming elections in Bihar, the Cabinet note on the same cannot be moved before the Winter Session of Parliament or may be by the end of the year (2015)," a senior Labour Ministry official told PTI today.
Earlier in August, the Labour Ministry had proposed to make fundamental changes on payment of minimum wages across the country and had said that it will be made mandatory.

"Till now, minimum wage clause is only advisory in nature and the government has decided to make it mandatory...We have taken a very important decision on minimum wages. After a detailed discussion, the Labour Ministry will take it to the Cabinet," the Labour Ministry had said in a press conference in late August.
The BJP-led NDA government is working actively towards bringing reforms in the sector and the Labour Ministry had last week gave a detailed presentation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same.
"The process of reforms and codifying the existing Labour Laws into four or five simplified code is a tedious task. So, it will take some time to be finalised," said the official quoted above.

Facing stiff opposition from central trade unions for bringing about changes in the labour laws unilaterally, the Prime Minister at the 46th Indian Labour Conference in July had said that amendments will be carried through consensus and consultation only.

"Changes in the labour laws will be made with the concurrence of the unions and the consultation process will continue," Modi had said.
However, 10 trade union had called a nationwide strike on September 2 as the two rounds of talks between the government and the Labour Ministry to avert the bandh had failed to reach a consensus.
The trade unions have put forth a 12-point charter of demands before the government including that of minimum wages of not less than Rs 15,000 per month, control in prise rise, PSU divestment, assured enhanced pension and stoppage of pro employer labour law amendments.