Minimum Wages in Punjab

1. Minimum Wages
2. Minimum Wages in Punjab

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Punjab has always been known for its agriculture. However, recently, its industrial sector is also contributing to one-third of the total employment. In such a scenario, ensuring fair minimum wages in Punjab becomes critical for two reasons.

As an employer, you need to comply with several legal obligations and the Minimum Wages Act (1948) is one such obligation. Under this act, each state can regulate its own minimum wage rates.

So, the Punjab government revises minimum wage rates for all the workers included in the scheduled employment. Here are the basics of minimum wages which will help you adjust your payroll processes for updated labor rates.

What is the Minimum Wages in Punjab

Minimum wages in Punjab are the lowest legally binding payment employers must pay to any employee. This law protects all employees from exploitation. The local government fixed the minimum wage, which regularly considers the area’s cost of living and the employees’ needs. This includes the unskilled labour rates in Punjab based on the region and pre-defined zones.

The government of Punjab sets the minimum wage each year. Punjab minimum wage notification publicises this information to businesses operating in the state. These rates are adjusted annually and are crucial for statutory compliance. The Punjab Minimum Wages Rules, 1960, govern the changes in labour rates.

The Punjab government calculates the minimum wage based on

• Skill Level- Minimum wage calculation depends on an employee’s skill level, categorised as skilled, unskilled, or semi-skilled.
• Consumer Price Index(CPI)- Punjab labour rate calculation depends on the CPI compiled by the labour bureau, ensuring that the wages align with the inflation rate.
• Scheduled Employment- Punjab minimum wage calculation also needs consideration of categories like scheduled employment. This comes under the Minimum Wages Act 1948.

Employers hiring employees in the Punjab region must comply with the Minimum Wages Act. The state also has a framework to determine wages and enforce the act based on the region’s specific needs. There are no exceptions, but the Punjab Minimum Wages Rules, 1951, does not cover employees working in central government undertakings.

Employers must consider the definition of skill levels given by the Punjab Government when calculating the minimum wage.

• Highly skilled employees are more than just trained professionals offering management and innovation capabilities.
• Skilled employees are specialized professionals trained to offer specific services and perform complex tasks.
• Unskilled employees perform basic tasks and receive limited remuneration based on the nature of their work.
• Semi-skilled employees have some form of training to perform more complex tasks than unskilled labourers.

Now that you know the calculation approach, here are the updated minimum wages in Punjab for 2025.

Current Minimum Wages in Punjab 2025

Here are the updated minimum wage rates in Punjab, including monthly, per-hour, and daily wages. The table below categorizes these minimum wages based on skill level.

Date of Notification: 16 April, 2025

Date of Applicability: 1st March, 2025

Minimum Rates of Wages of Office Staff: Categories a, B, C, and D

The table below provides the current minimum wages in Punjab for staff categories from A to D, effective from March 2025:

1. Current Minimum Wages in Punjab for Staff Category A

A person with a Postgraduate Degree / MBA (Marketing / Finance / Human Resources Development) and/or Company Secretary or equivalent professional degree.

2. Current Minimum Wages in Punjab for Staff Category B

Graduate in any discipline or an undergraduate with a Diploma/Certificate Course in Stenography or a Diploma in Computer Application / Accountancy or supervisory staff who have to make independent decisions.

3. Current Minimum Wages in Punjab for Staff Category C

A person above matriculation but not a graduate or an undergraduate with a Stenography/Computer Application/Data Entry Operator/Accountancy certificate. This includes Timekeeper, Salesman, Assistant, Storekeeper, etc.

4. Current Minimum Wages in Punjab for Staff Category D

Any Class-IV employee (casual, through contractor, or on a contract basis) who is a matriculate.

Minimum Wages for Attached Labour in Agricultural Employment (Unskilled Labor)

Includes annual wages (food included or equivalent quantity of grain), effective date 01.03.2025:

Other Agricultural Labour on a Daily Basis (INR)

Final Notes

Knowing Punjab’s new minimum wage rate is crucial for a business because you want to ensure compliance with local laws. Plus, it helps retain employees with proper remuneration and better worker satisfaction.

Punjab’s minimum wages change every year, and there are specific sections and exceptions. You need to understand these and incorporate them into your payroll calculations. This article will provide you with the latest changes and specific points considered while calculating the minimum wages in Punjab.

Disclaimer

The table above shows the minimum wage rates approved in Punjab by the Labour Commissioner. While this information is valuable, it may not cover all relevant laws. We encourage everyone to stay informed. Neither the author nor factoHR can be held liable for any legal issues arising from this policy.