Punjab govt links minimum wages with retail inflation

The Punjab government has linked minimum wages with the consumer price index issued by the Labour Bureau.

Due to increase in Consumer Price Index Numbers, the minimum wages with effect from May 1, 2015, for an un-skilled worker is Rs 6,935.62 per month and Rs 267.13 per day, an official spokesman said on Sunday.

The minimum wages for an agricultural worker is Rs 277.13 per day without meals and Rs 251.93 per day with meals.

The spokesman also said that the Labour Department under Punjab State Skill Development Mission has decided to impart Skill Development training to the total 14,790 construction workers engaged at 182 construction sites.

Punjab Government has deposited an amount of Rs 110 crore in the Pension Fund created with the LIC under the Pension Scheme for construction workers, he said.

The financial benefit under the Maternity benefit scheme of the Board has been enhanced from Rs 5000 to 21000 per child up to two children of female construction worker, he said.

Similarly, the rate of minimum pension under the Pension scheme of the Board has also been increased from Rs 5000 to 12000 per annum, and by increasing Rs 1000 after every year, it may go up to Rs 25000 per annum according to the length of membership of construction worker, he said.