Labour Commissioner reviews construction workers’ wages

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 12: Labour Commissioner, Jammu and Kashmir Vipra Bhal in a meeting reviewed the enormous hike of daily wages of labour, carpenters, electricians, masons and other classes of labourous connected with the re-construction in Kashmir division post September 2014 due to unprecedented floods in the division.
It was discussed that Minimum Wages Act is being implemented in its letter and spirit which is applicable in respect of scheduled employments notified under Act and deals only with the “Minimum rates of wages” and not the “maximum wages”.
The details of minimum wages in respect of construction industry is given as under unskilled Rs.150 per day, semi skilled Rs.175 per day, skilled Rs.225 per day and ministerial, supervisor, accounts Rs.200 per day.
After threadbare discussion on the matter it was unanimously decided that the concerned Assistant Labour Commissioners will immediately procure the rate of prevalent wages in construction industry in their respective districts as notified by District Development Commissioner, so that possibility of controlling the wage hike is explored in the department.
Besides, the working of the district and divisional officers was reviewed and the Assistant Labour Commissioners were directed to conduct frequent inspections under J&K Shops & Establishment Act and Building & Other Construction Workers Act so that the implementation of these Acts is geared up in the State.