The Labour Department of Kerala on September 13th 2024, notified regarding the revision in the minimum rates of wages payable to the employees employed in the Brick Manufacturing and Wire Cut Bricks Industry Sector.
Key Highlights of the Notification
I. Minimum Wage Rates
A. Hand Moulded Bricks Industry
For Time-Rated Workers (8 hours work)
- Unskilled Workers: Rs.600
- Headload Workers
- Drying Yard Stackers
- Helpers in Fire Making
- Other Unskilled Raw Material Handling Workers
- Semi-Skilled Workers: Rs.610
- Clay Mixers and Slicers
- Moulder Helpers
- Workmen Spreading Wet Bricks in Drying Yard
- Supervisors
- Skilled Workers: Rs.620
- Moulders
- Kiln Setters
- Kiln Fire Makers
For Piece-Rated Work
| Job | Basic Wages for 1000 Bricks | Production Capacity |
| Moulding Bricks | ₹475.00 | 2500 bricks |
| Mixing of Clay | ₹470.00 | 2500 bricks |
| Moulding Helper | ₹470.00 | 2500 bricks |
| Stacking in Drying Yard | ₹470.00 | 2500 bricks |
B. Cement and Sand Bricks Industry
For Time-Rated Work (8 hours work)
- Unskilled Workers:
- Sand and Cement Mixing Worker: ₹600.00
- Headload Worker: ₹600.00
- Skilled Workers:
- Moulder: ₹620.00
II. Mechanised Units
A. Time Rated Work (8 hours work)
- Unskilled Workers:
- Headload Worker: ₹600.00
- Drying Yard Stacker: ₹600.00
- Helper in Fire Making: ₹600.00
- Semi-Skilled Workers:
- Clay Mixing and Slicing Workers: ₹610.00
- Moulding Helper: ₹610.00
- Skilled Workers:
- Moulders: ₹620.00
- Kiln Setters: ₹620.00
- Kiln Fire Makers: ₹620.00
B. Piece Rated Workers
| Nature of Work | Workload | Wages |
| Mixer Idal | 1 Cubic Metre | ₹470.00 |
| Mixer Ariyal | 1 Cubic Metre | ₹380.00 |
| Pugmil Worker | 1000 Nos. | ₹1280.00 |
| Kannara Vakkal | 1000 Nos. | ₹430.00 |
| Kallu Chumedu | 1000 Nos. | ₹690.00 |
| Choola Adukkal | 1000 Nos. | ₹630.00 |
| Choola Polikal | 1000 Nos. | ₹760.00 |
| Choola Vevikkal | ₹350.00 | |
| Viraku Pottikkal | 1 Metric Ton | ₹1020.00 |
| Loading | 1000 Nos. | ₹760.00 |
III. Dearness Allowance
An essential component of the wage structure is the Dearness Allowance (DA), which will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index Number for each district. The DA is set at ₹2.30 for every index point above 165 points in the latest CPI series. Notably, piece-rated employees will receive this allowance only upon completing their workload.
IV. General Conditions
- Higher Wages: Employees currently earning above the minimum wages set in this notification will continue to receive their higher wages.
- Job Categories Not Listed: Workers in unlisted job categories will be entitled to wages equivalent to similar roles.
- Monthly Wage Calculation: For daily-rated employees, the monthly wage will be computed by multiplying the total daily wages (including DA) by 26.
The revised minimum wage notification from the Government of Kerala marks an essential milestone in labor welfare. It underscores the importance of fair wages in promoting a sustainable and equitable work environment.
