New minimum wage set at Rs37,000/month

The Sindh government has announced a new minimum monthly wage at Rs37,000 for workers across the province, effective from July 1, 2024. The decision aims to enhance the welfare of workers and ensure fair compensation across all sectors, according to a provincial government handout.

The Sindh Minimum Wages Board issued an official gazette under the Sindh Minimum Wages Act 2015, outlining the minimum wage for unskilled workers for the information of the public and affected parties.

The notification invites objections and suggestions regarding the proposed monthly wage. These should be submitted to the secretary of Minimum Wages Board Sindh, Karachi, within 14 days from the date of the gazette publication. Objections or suggestions received after this period will not be considered, the handout stated.

"The new wage will apply to all unskilled adult, adolescent, and female workers employed in any industrial or commercial establishment in Sindh, whether registered or unregistered," the handout reads. "The rates will be uniformly applicable across the province."

The minimum wage will be enforced under the Sindh Minimum Wages Act 2015. The regulations will cover daily and weekly working hours, overtime conditions, weekly rest days, and work on paid holidays, in accordance with the Sindh Factories Act 2015, Payment of Wages Act 2015, and other relevant labour laws.

According to the notification, the minimum wage rates for other unskilled workers in any industry will not be lower than those set for unskilled adult and adolescent workers in Sindh. "All industries, whether registered or unregistered, must adhere to the rates outlined in the appended schedule," it stated.

Under the Minimum Wages Act 2015, the minimum wage for a worker is set at Rs178 per hour, Rs 1,423 per full day, and Rs37,000 per month. These recommendations apply to workers who work eight hours a day and six days a week.

Workers will continue to benefit from facilities such as free accommodation/house rent, water, electricity, conveyance, free medical care, pension, bonus, insurance, provident fund, recreation, free and subsidised food, education, holidays, paid leaves, and other employer-provided benefits.

The value of any variable or incentive allowances or welfare facilities will not be adjusted against the minimum wage rates, the handout reads. "All government, semi-government, and private institutions hiring manpower for various services, whether through private contractors or tenders, will not accept tenders that are below the proposed minimum wage rates."

Any complaints regarding the payment of minimum wages below these rates can be submitted to the Board under Section 13 of the Sindh Minimum Wages Act 2015 and Rule 16, 2021.