Par panel for parameters to define criteria of minimum wages

A Parliamentary panel on Labour and Employment has recommended framing of parameters to define the criteria of fixing of minimum wages along with expediting proposed amendments to the Minimum Wages Act.
"At present, the Minimum Wages Act neither defines minimum wages nor lays down any norm for fixing the minimum wages. In the absence of a standard methodology, norms recommended by the Indian Labour Congress 1957 are taken into account," it said while recommending for framing the parameters.
In its report tabled in Parliament today, it suggested that a concept of fair wages be simultaneously evolved and may be ensured that these fair wages are paid by all the profit making PSUs and organisations to contract and outsourced workers employed by them.

The amendment proposal to the Act was recently approved by the Cabinet and a draft Bill in this regard is being prepared in consultation with the Law Ministry.
The panel also pressed for expediting amendments to the Mines Act 1952 to extend applicability of territorial waters from 12 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles for the all workers engaged by oil exploring companies having the set up beyond the 12 nautical mile limit.
Noting that implementation of key schemes of the Ministry is being impacted due to shortage of staff, the panel once again said that existing vacancies under direct recruitment quota be filled up through employment exchanges as a stop gap arrangement till UPSC/SSC forwards the panel for regular appointment which would help ease the pressure from the Ministry.