The Karnataka Government issued notification regarding Minimum Wages dated 1st March, 2024. The notification provides details about the minimum wages and variable dearness allowance (VDA) rates for various categories of workers in shops and commercial establishments, hospitals, maternity homes, nursing homes, clinics, de-addiction centers, security agencies, hotels, residential hotels, restaurants, motels, lodges, eateries, canteens, dhabas, outdoor food making, catering, food processing, and packing of food products. It also outlines the cost of living allowance to be paid over and above a specific number of points, calculated based on the cost of living index.
The schedule provides detailed categories of workers based on skill levels, such as highly skilled workers, skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, unskilled workers, office staff, and drivers. For each category, it lists the basic wages and VDA rates per month and per day. The zones are categorized as Zone I, Zone II, Zone III, and Zone IV, with specific definitions for each zone.
In addition to the minimum wages, the VDA is specified at a certain rate per point over a predefined number of points. The VDA is uniform for all categories of employees in the state. The document also includes information on the minimum rates of wages for different classes of employment, such as junior doctors, Ayurvedic doctors, medical and psychiatric social workers, staff nurses, lab technicians, dieticians, and maintenance supervisors.
Furthermore, the notification provides details about the VDA rates, including the cost of living allowance, minimum wages, and VDA from 1st April, 2024 to 31st March, 2025, which are effective from 4th February, 2023. The notification also outlines the specific zones and the VDA rates based on the cost of living index.
