Rajasthan Becomes The First State To Set Minimum Wages For Part Time Workers

Rajasthan, the largest state of the country has started emerging on the World map recently. Chief Minister of the State Vasundhara Raje has set out a Vision 2020 involving three-sixty degree areas of growth – infrastructure, education, tourism, industry, workers, budget, development, road construction, cleanliness and employment. The Chief Minister is apparently keeping a track of all the promises make in her Suraj Sankalp Patra which was also the election manifesto of the BJP in Rajasthan for December 2013 elections, and over 73% of the promises have come to existence. Rajasthan has grown and grown fast in a short span of time and the numbers reflect Raje’s vision for a developed Rajasthan. From making Rajasthan sixth best holiday destination in Asia to making it number one in solar energy production, from making the state secure first position twice in skill development to constructing the highest number of toilets in India under PM Modi’s Clean India Campaign, from taking the state from nowhere to 6th in EODB rankings to making it shine in the nation as number one under PM Modi's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao mission and now making Rajasthan the first state in the nation to set minimum wage rate for part-time workers, CM Vasundhara Raje seems to be on a mission mode towards reforming and transforming Rajasthan.

According to a notification by the state's labour department which was made in the month of February this year, the rate for an full day's chores (which is defined as eight hours) – including cooking, baby sitting, washing and other works – has been fixed at a minimum of Rs 5,642 per month. Jaipur Servants Association spokesman Abdul Moin remarked, "This is a good step. Most people who work as domestic helps here are from other states like West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, and are unlettered. This will ensure they are paid their minimum amount. In fact, the government should raise the bar higher. CM Raje’s far-sightedness and leadership has made Rajasthan the first state ever in the country do announce a minimum wage rate for the workers who work part-time. Now part-time workers shall be able to receive 50 percent of the minimum wage for working four hours and in case they work more than four hours, they shall be entitled to get the wage for the entire day. According to the announcement made by Labour Minister Shri Surinder Pal Singh TT, an unskilled labourer (includes watchmen, messengers, sweepers, jamadars, washermen, laundrymen etc) will now get Rs 201 per day (Rs 5,226 per month), semi-skilled labourers (includes accountants, head dealers, tool keepers, helpers, wiremen etc) Rs 211 (Rs 5,486 per month) and skilled labourers (includes mechanic, painter, plumber, drivers, electricians etc)  at Rs 221 (per month Rs 5,746). The new salaries will come into effect from January 1, 2016. With this announcement, the part-time workers too will now come under Minimum Wages Act 1948. This is the third time that the state government has increased the minimum wages in this tenure. According to the notification, an unskilled worker after working for 2 years and a semi-skilled worker after working for three years will be entitled for equal wages as of a semi-skilled worker and a skilled worker respectively. Similarly, after working for 5 years, a skilled worker will be entitled for equal wages as received by a high-skilled worker.

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Additional labour commissioner, Dhanraj Sharma, said, “Domestic workers were included in Scheduled 27 of the Minimum Wages Act eight years ago. But, we have now fixed the number of working hours for them to ensure they are paid well.”  He added, “Violators will be liable for prosecution, and domestic worker eligible for compensation as high as 10 times the difference between the minimum wage and the amount he or she was received.”

All the details of the notification about the Minimum Wages For Part Time Workers issued by the Department of Labour are available on the department’s website www.labour.rajasthan.gov.in

Raje’s love for reforms is slowly transforming the desert state into an emerging global leader with palpable energy, skilled youth and ample infrastructure. Let’s hope Vasundhara Raje’s efforts give impetus the progress of the State and its people.

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