Private sector fails to implement minimum wage in Pindi division
The private sector in the Rawalpindi division has failed to implement the minimum wage and pays less than the fixed amount of Rs25,000
During a survey of the market and different private entities, it transpired that 60 per cent of institutions in the Rawalpindi division pay Rs15,000, Rs18,000 and Rs20,000 to their employees and take duty for 12 hours instead of eight hours.
The labour department has issued 800 challans to violators in the last two months.
The Punjab government had issued a notification to increase the monthly salary of employees of all private sector including departmental stores, shops, hotels, bakeries, factories, factories, workshops, medical stores and super stores by Rs25,000 per month. The provincial government had asked the labour department to implement a minimum was of Rs25,000 in each division.
According to labour department sources, 60 per cent of the employees in private sector companies as well as in other business centres, factories, and industries throughout the division, are paid less salaries than the fixed amount.
The sources claimed that 800 challans have so far been issued in the last two months against the violators and summons have been submitted to labour courts and magistrates.
The sources said that relevant magistrates and labour courts are hearing cases against the offenders and they will be penalized by the courts.
Business owners who pay less than Rs25,000 per month said that they were compelled to do so as their business revenue was scarce.
According to sources in the labour department, the minimum pay for workers in the private sector would be guaranteed to be paid at least Rs 25,000 in light of the recent spike in inflation.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2022.