On March 6th 2025 , the Government of Assam, through the Labour Welfare Department, has announced a revision in the minimum wages and Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) payable to workers engaged in the loading and unloading of urea bags. The revised rates will be applicable from July 1, 2024.
Key Highlights of the Revision:
The revision in VDA is based on the rise in the All India General Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Industrial Workers. The CPI, which is used as the reference for calculating the VDA, has increased by 0.836 points from the period July 2023 to December 2023. Of this, 75% of the CPI rise is considered, which amounts to an increase of 0.451 points over the average CPI for the period January 2024 to June 2024.
This adjustment in VDA will directly impact the wages of workers involved in the handling of urea bags, as per the following details:
Revised VDA Rates Effective from July 1, 2024
| Category | Existing VDA (Rs.) | New VDA (Rs.) | Present Rate of Wages (per metric ton) |
| Mechanised filling, weighing of urea bags from conveyor to bankers, check weight of filled bags, mechanized stitching, and managing of filled bags in the LPC (loading platform conveyors) | Rs. 15.75 | Rs. 5.657 | Rs. 21.478 |
| Carrying of stitched and weighed bags and loading directly into trucks/wagons within 10 meters from stitching point/platform | Rs. 31.50 | Rs. 0.071 | Rs. 12.132 |
| Carrying on stitched and weighed bags, stacking on platform, and then loading in trucks/wagons (when operated from mechanized loading point) | Rs. 36.50 | Rs. 0.142 | Rs. 43.774 |
Explanation of the Changes:
Mechanized Filling and Weighing of Urea Bags: The workers involved in mechanized filling, weighing, stitching, and managing the urea bags at the loading platform will see a decrease in VDA from Rs. 15.75 to Rs. 5.657. However, the present rate of wages has been revised to Rs. 21.478 per metric ton.
Loading of Bags Directly into Trucks/Wagons: Workers engaged in carrying stitched and weighed bags for direct loading into trucks or wagons within 10 meters of the stitching point will experience a minimal increase in VDA, from Rs. 31.50 to Rs. 0.071. The revised rate of wages in this category is Rs. 12.132 per metric ton.
Carrying, Stacking, and Loading from Mechanized Loading Points: For workers handling stitched and weighed bags, stacking them on the platform, and subsequently loading them into trucks or wagons from mechanized loading points, the VDA will increase from Rs. 36.50 to Rs. 0.142. The new wage rate stands at Rs. 43.774 per metric ton.
Additional Information:
The increase in the VDA comes as a result of the 75% rise in the average All India General CPI for Industrial Workers during the period of July 2023 to December 2023. This move aims to ensure that the workers receive compensation that aligns with the rise in living costs.
The revised rates will come into effect starting from July 1, 2024, and will directly impact workers involved in the loading and unloading of urea bags across Assam.
