The Ministry of Labour and Employment increased the minimum daily wage for unorganised sector workers up to Rs 1,035 on September 26, 2024. In an order, the ministry announced that the variable dearness allowance (VDA) has been revised to increase the workers’ minimum daily wages. The move aims to help workers cope with rising living costs.

According to the notification, the workers are categorised based on their skill level and area. The new rate will apply based on their skill levels like unskilled, semi-skilled/unskilled supervisory, skilled/clerical, and highly skilled; further, the areas were divided into A, B, and C.

Also Read: How Can Seniors Spend A Tad More Without Compromising Primary Goals?

Here are the details.

Workers In Agriculture: For agricultural workers, the minimum daily wage for unskilled workers in the area ‘A’ will be Rs 500, and for highly skilled, it will be Rs 656. Similarly, an unskilled worker in areas’ B’ and ‘C’ will get Rs 457 and Rs 454, respectively, while a highly skilled worker will be entitled to Rs 611 and Rs 546 depending on the areas respectively.

Workers In Mines: The unskilled workers working above ground will get Rs 526 and Rs 655 for those working underground. Likewise, the highly skilled workers will receive Rs 912 and Rs 1,020 for work under and above the ground, respectively.

Workers In Construction And Maintenance: The highest wage for highly skilled workers in the area ‘A’ is Rs 1,035 daily. In the same location, an unskilled worker’s wage will be Rs 783, a semi-skilled worker’s wage will be Rs 868, and a skilled worker’s wage will be Rs 954. Unskilled workers will get Rs 655 in area ‘B’, and highly skilled workers will get Rs 954. The wages are the lowest in area ‘C’ at Rs 526 per day for unskilled and Rs 868 for highly skilled workers.

Workers In Loading And Unloading: The wages are Rs 783, Rs 655, and Rs 526 in areas A, B, and C, in sequence, as per the notification.

Workers In Sweeping And Cleaning: The minimum wage in area ‘A’ is Rs 783, area ‘B’ is 655, and area ‘C’ is Rs 526.

Workers In Watch And Ward: The workers employed in Watch and Ward (without arms) will now get a minimum of Rs 954 in area ‘A’, Rs 868 in area ‘B’, and Rs 739 in area ‘C’. Similarly, the workers (with arms) will receive Rs 1,035 per day in ‘A’, Rs 954 in ‘B’, and Rs 868 in ‘C’.

Workers In Stone Mines: The workers in stone mines will now receive a minimum of Rs 426 and a maximum of Rs 3,232 for stone breaking.

Also Read: Healthcare In Hospitals Becomes Costlier In India Says ACKO Insurance

The central government revises the VDA twice yearly based on the average six-month average increase in the consumer price index. The last revision was effective from April 1, and this hike will become effective from October 1, 2024.