The Government of Odisha, Labour & ESI Department issued a notification dated 13th March, 2024, proposing to fix or revise the minimum rates of wages for various categories of employees employed in different industries across the state. The proposals outlined in the notification are published for the information of all concerned individuals and will be considered after a period of two months from the date of publication in the Odisha Gazette. The revised minimum rates of wages, as specified in the schedule provided, are inclusive of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) admissible every six months. The notification also emphasizes the consideration of objections or suggestions regarding the proposed rates of wages before the specified period expires.
The schedule included in the notification lists the revised minimum rates of wages for a wide range of industries, such as agriculture, automobile servicing, pharmaceutical industry, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and various other sectors. It details the specific categories of employees, the names of the occupations, and the corresponding rates of wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled workers, with additional provisions for disabled persons and non-discrimination between male and female workers in wage payment.
The notification further clarifies that the minimum rates of wages are also applicable to employees employed by contractors and specifies the definitions of unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled work. It mandates an eight-hour workday for adult employees, inclusive of half an hour of rest.
