The Code on Wages, 2019 In a labour surplus country like India, it is difficult to have a uniform and comprehensive wage policy for all sectors of the economy. Wages in the organized sector are generally determined through negotiations and settlements between the employer and the employees. In the unorganized sector, however, labour is vulnerable to exploitation due to illiteracy and lack of effective bargaining power. The Minimum Wages Act,1948, was subsumed into the The Code on Wages, 2019 effective from 21st November 2025. It safeguards the interests of the workers as they are vulnerable to exploitation due to illiteracy and lack of bargaining power and binds the employers to pay the minimum wages to the workers as fixed under the statute for the work performed during a given period, which cannot be reduced by collective agreement or an individual contract. Under the Code on Wages, 2019, all workers to receive a statutory right minimum wage payment. The minimum rates of wages also include Special Allowance i.e. Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) linked to Consumer Price Index Number, which is revised twice a year effective from1 April and1 October. The Central Government and 27 States/UTs have adopted VDA as a component of minimum wage. Both the Central and the State Governments have been revising the minimum wages in respect of scheduled employments from time to time. Minimum wages Both Central and State Governments are appropriate Governments to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of the workers employed in the scheduled employments under their respective jurisdictions. The minimum rates of wages including the basic rates and Variable Dearness Allowance payable w.e.f. 01.04.2026 shall be as under: (Wages in Rs. per day) w .e f. 01.04.20256 Scheduled Employment Category of Workers Area A Area B Area C Old Revised Old Revised Old Revised Agriculture Unskilled 514 528 47O 483 465 478 Semi-skilled /Unskilled Supervisory 562 578 516 530 475 488 Skilled/Clerical 610 627 562 578 515 529 Highly-skilled 675 694 628 645 562 578 Sweeping and Cleaning Unskilled 805 827 674 693 541 556 Watch and Ward Without Arms 981 1008 893 918 760 781 With Arms 1065 1094 981 1008 893 918 Loading & Unloading 805 827 674 693 541 556 Construction Unskilled 805 827 674 693 541 556 Semi-skilled /Unskilled Supervisory 893 918 760 781 632 650 Skilled/Clerical 981 1008 893 918 760 781 Highly-skilled 1065 1094 981 1008 893 918 Old Revised Workers engaged in Stone Mines 1.Excavation & removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift:* (a) Soft Soil 545 560 (b) Soft Soil with Rock 818 841 (c) Rock 1083 1113 2. Removal and Staking of rejected stones with 50 metres lead/1.5 metreslift* 438 450 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size of category** (a) 1.0 inch to 1.5 inches 3323 3414 (b) Above 1.5 Inches to 3.0 Inches 2842 2920 (c) Above 3.0 Inches to 5 Inches 1669 1715 (d) Above 5.0 Inches 1372 1410 Non - Coal Mines Above Ground Below Ground Old Revised Old Revised Unskilled 541 556 674 693 Semi-skilled /Unskilled Supervisory 674 693 805 827 Skilled/Clerical 805 827 938 964 Highly-skilled 938 964 1049 1078 * Per 2.831 cubic meters or 100 cubic feet ** Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters or 200 cubic feet To access the complete notification, click here