Labour dept intensifies efforts to enforce minimum wage

RAWALPINDI:

The Labour Department has ramped up its efforts to ensure private sector enterprises comply with the mandatory minimum wage of Rs37,000.

The department started this campaign after complaints flooded the Prime Minister's, Chief Minister's, and Deputy Commissioner's portals, as well as the Labour Department's helpline, regarding salaries below the legal threshold. Consequently, several employers in the private sector have been fined and penalised.

Following federal and Punjab government directives, the Labour Department launched a campaign to enforce the Rs37,000 minimum wage. The department sources revealed that 50% of enterprises have implemented the new salary structure. However, many institutions continue to pay less, violating both the law and workers' fundamental rights.

The formal notification enforcing the minimum wage of Rs37,000 was issued in September. Between October and November, 150 challans have been issued to private sector institutions found paying below the mandated amount. Upon receiving reports of employees earning less than Rs37,000, the department inspectors conduct on-site visits to these organisations. Employees can also file complaints through the Prime Minister's, Chief Minister's, and Deputy Commissioner's portals or the Labour Department's helpline.

In addition to enforcing wage laws, the department continues its crackdown on child labour. In the past two months, 10 FIRs have been lodged against those exploiting children for work.