THE MINIMUM WAGES ACT, 1948

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
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SECTIONS
1. Short title and extent.
2. Interpretation.
3. Fixing of minimum rates of wages.
4. Minimum rate of wages.
5. Procedure for fixing and revising minimum wages.
6. [Omitted.].
7. Advisory Board.
8. Central Advisory Board.
9. Composition of committees, etc.
10. Correction of errors.
11. Wages in kind.
12. Payment of minimum rates of wages.
13. Fixing hours for a normal working day, etc.
14. Overtime.
15. Wages of worker who works for less than normal working day.
16. Wages for two or more classes of work.
17. Minimum time rate wages for piece work.
18. Maintenance of registers and records.
19. Inspectors.
20. Claims.
21. Single application in respect of a number of employees.
22. Penalties for certain offences.
22A. General provision for punishment of other offences.
22B. Cognizance of offences.
22C. Offences by companies.
22D. Payment of undisbursed amounts due to employees.
22E. Protection against attachment of assets of employer with Government.
22F. Application of Payment of Wages Act, 1936, to scheduled employments.
23. Exemption of employer from liability in certain cases.
24. Bar of suits.
25. Contracting out.
26. Exemptions and exceptions.
27. Power of State Government to add to Schedule.
28. Power of Central Government to give directions
29. Power of the Central Government to make rules.

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SECTIONS
30. Power of appropriate Government to make rules.
30A. Rules made by Central Government to be laid before Parliament.
31. Validation of fixation of certain minimum rates of wages.
THE SCHEDULE.

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 THE MINIMUM WAGES ACT, 1948
ACT NO. 11 OF 19481
[15th March, 1948.]
An Act to provide for fixing minimum rates of wages in certain employments.
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for fixing minimum rates of wages in certain employments;
It is hereby enacted as follows:—
1. Short title and extent.—(1) This Act may be called the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
(2) It extends to the whole of India 2***.
2. Interpretation.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—
[(a) “adolescent” means a person who has completed his fourteenth year of age but has not
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completed his eighteenth year;

(aa) “adult” means a person who has completed his eighteenth year of age;]
(b) “appropriate Government” means,—
(i) in relation to any scheduled employment carried on by or under the authority of the
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[Central Government or a railway administration], or in relation to a mine, oilfield or major port,
or any corporation established by 5[a Central Act], the Central Government, and
(ii) in relation to any other scheduled employment, the State Government;
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[(bb) “child” means a person who has not completed his fourteenth year of age;]
(c) “competent authority” means the authority appointed by the appropriate Government by
notification in its Official Gazette to ascertain from time to time the cost of living index number
applicable to the employees employed in the scheduled employments specified in such notification;
(d) “cost of living index number”, in relation to employees in any scheduled employment in
respect of which minimum rates of wages have been fixed, means the index number ascertained and
declared by the competent authority by notification in the Official Gazette to be the cost of living
index number applicable to employees in such employment;
(e) “employer” means any person who employs, whether directly or through another person, or
whether on behalf of himself or any other person, one or more employees in any scheduled
employment in respect of which minimum rates of wages have been fixed under this Act, and
includes, except in sub-section (3) of section 26,—
(i) in a factory where there is carried on any scheduled employment in respect of which
minimum rates of wages have been fixed under this Act, any person named under 7[clause (f) of
sub-section (1) of section 7 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948)], as manager of the factory;

1. This Act has been extended to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and the First Schedule; Pondicherry by Reg. 7
of 1973, s. 3 and First Schedule; Lakshadweep by Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and the Schedule; and Union territory of Goa, Daman
and Diu by Notification No. G.S.R. 436, dated 16-4-1873, Gazette of India, Part II, sec. 3(i).
This Act has been amended in Uttar Pradesh by U.P. Act 20 of 1960 (w.e.f. 1-1-1960), Bihar by Bihar Act 3 of 1961,
Maharashtra by Maharashtra Act 10 of 1961, Andhra Pradesh by Andhra Pradesh Act 19 of 1961, Gujarat by Gujarat Act 22 of
1961, Madhya Pradesh by Madhya Pradesh Act 11 of 1959, Kerala by Kerala Act 18 of 1960, Rajasthan by Rajasthan Act 4 of
1969, Madhya Pradesh by Madhya Pradesh Act 36 of 1976 and Maharashtra by Maharashtra Act 25 of 1976.
2. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 51 of 1970, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 1-9-1971).
3. Subs. by Act 61 of 1986, s. 23, for clause (a).
4. Subs. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 2, for “Central Government, by a railway administration” .
5. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “an Act of the Central Legislature”
6. Ins. by Act 61 of 1986, s. 23.
7. Subs. by Act 26 of 1954, s. 2, for “clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section 9 of the Factories Act, 1934 (25 of 1934)”.

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 (ii) in any scheduled employment under the control of any Government in India in respect of
which minimum rates of wages have been fixed under this Act, the person or authority appointed
by such Government for the supervision and control of employees or where no person or
authority is so appointed, the head of the department;
(iii) in any scheduled employment under any local authority in respect of which minimum
rates of wages have been fixed under this Act, the person appointed by such authority for the
supervision and control of employees or where no person is so appointed, the chief executive
officer of the local authority;
(iv) in any other case where there is carried on any scheduled employment in respect of which
minimum rates of wages have been fixed under this Act, any person responsible to the owner for
the supervision and control of the employees or for the payment of wages;
(f) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(g) “scheduled employment” means an employment specified in the Schedule, or any process or
branch of work forming part of such employment;
(h) “wages” means all remuneration, capable of being expressed in terms of money, which would,
if the terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled, be payable to a person
employed in respect of his employment or of work done in such employment, 1[and includes house
rent allowance], but does not include—
(i) the value of—
(a) any house-accommodation, supply of light, water, medical attendance, or
(b) any other amenity or any service excluded by general or special order of the
appropriate Government;
(ii) any contribution paid by the employer to any Pension Fund or Provident Fund or under
any scheme of social insurance;
(iii) any travelling allowance or the value of any travelling concession;
(iv) any sum paid to the person employed to defray special expenses entailed on him by the
nature of his employment; or
(v) any gratuity payable on discharge;
(i)“employee” means any person who is employed for hire or reward to do any work, skilled or
unskilled, manual or clerical, in a scheduled employment in respect of which minimum rates of wages
have been fixed; and includes an out-worker to whom any articles or materials are given out by another
person to be made up, cleaned, washed, altered, ornamented, finished, repaired, adapted or otherwise
processed for sale for the purposes of the trade or business of that other person where the process is to be
carried out either in the home of the out-worker or in some other premises not being premises under the
control and management of that other person; and also includes an employee declared to be an employee
by the appropriate Government; but does not include any member of the Armed Forces of the 2[Union].
3. Fixing of minimum rates of wages.—3[(1) The appropriate Government shall, in the manner
hereinafter provided,—
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[(a) fix the minimum rates of wages payable to employees employed in an employment specified
in Part I or Part II of the Schedule and in an employment added to either Part by notification under
section 27:
Provided that the appropriate Government may, in respect of employees employed in an
employment specified in Part II of the Schedule, instead of fixing minimum rates of wages under this

1. Ins. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 2.

2. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “Crown”.
3. Subs. by Act 26 of 1954, s.3, for sub-section (1).
4. Subs. by Act 31 of 1961, s. 2, for clause (a).

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 clause for the whole State, fix such rates for a part of the State or for any specified class or classes of
such employment in the whole State or part thereof;]
(b) review at such intervals as it may think fit, such intervals not exceeding five years, the
minimum rates of wages so fixed and revise the minimum rates, if necessary:
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[Provided that where for any reason the appropriate Government has not reviewed the minimum
rates of wages fixed by it in respect of any scheduled employment within any interval of five years,
nothing contained in this clause shall be deemed to prevent it from reviewing the minimum rates after
the expiry of the said period of five years and revising them, if necessary, and until they are so revised
the minimum rates in force immediately before the expiry of the said period of five years shall
continue in force.]
(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the appropriate Government may refrain
from fixing minimum rates of wages in respect of any scheduled employment in which there are in the
whole State less than one thousand employees engaged in such employment, but if at any time, 2*** the
appropriate Government comes to a finding after such inquiry as it may make or cause to be made in this
behalf that the number of employees in any scheduled employment in respect of which it has refrained
from fixing minimum rates of wages has risen to one thousand or more, it shall fix minimum rates of
wages payable to employees in such employment 3[as soon as may be after such finding].]
(2) The appropriate Government may fix,—
(a) a minimum rate of wages for time work (hereinafter referred to as “a minimum time rate”);
(b) a minimum rate of wages for piece work (hereinafter referred to as “a minimum piece rate”);
(c) a minimum rate of remuneration to apply in the case of employees employed on piece work
for the purpose of securing to such employees a minimum rate of wages on a time work basis
(hereinafter referred to as “a guaranteed time rate”);
(d) a minimum rate (whether a time rate or a piece rate) to apply in substitution for the minimum
rate which would otherwise be applicable, in respect of overtime work done by employees
(hereinafter referred to as “overtime rate”).
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[(2A) Where in respect of an industrial dispute relating to the rates of wages payable to any of the
employees employed in a scheduled employment, any proceeding is pending before a Tribunal or
National Tribunal under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947) or before any like authority under
any other law for the time being in force, or an award made by any Tribunal, National Tribunal or such
authority is in operation, and a notification fixing or revising the minimum rates of wages in respect of the
scheduled employment is issued during the pendency of such proceeding or the operation of the award,
then, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the minimum rates of wages so fixed or so revised
shall not apply to those employees during the period in which the proceeding is pending and the award
made therein is in operation or, as the case may be, where the notification is issued during the period of
operation of an award, during that period; and where such proceeding or award relates to the rates of
wages payable to all the employees in the scheduled employment, no minimum rates of wages shall be
fixed or revised in respect of that employment during the said period.]
(3) In fixing or revising minimum rates of wages under this section,—
(a) different minimum rates of wages may be fixed for—
(i) different scheduled employments;
(ii) different classes of work in the same scheduled employment;
(iii) adults, adolescents, children and apprentices;

1. Ins. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 3.

2. Certain words, brackets and figure omitted by Act 31 of 1961, s. 2.
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for certain words.
4. Ins. by s. 2, ibid.

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 (iv) different localities;
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[(b) minimum rates of wages may be fixed by any one or more of the following wage-periods,
namely:—
(i) by the hour,
(ii) by the day,
(iii) by the month, or
(iv) by such other larger wage-period as may be prescribed;
and where such rates are fixed by the day or by the month, the manner of calculating wages for a month
or for a day, as the case may be, may be indicated:]
Provided that where any wage-periods have been fixed under section 4 of the Payment of Wages Act,
1936 (4 of 1936), minimum wages shall be fixed in accordance therewith.
STATE AMENDMENT
Kerala
Amendment of Section 3.—(1) Section 3 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (Central Act 11 of
1948), in its application to the fixation of minimum rates of wages in respect of employments specified in
Part I and Part II of the Schedule to the Act, in relation to which the appropriate Government is the State
Government, shall have effect in the State of Kerala subject to the amendments specified in sub-section
(2).
(2) In sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (Central Act 11 of 1948),—
(i) in the opening words, for the words “The appropriate Government”, the words “The State
Government” shall be substituted;
(ii) in clause (a),—
(a) in sub-clauses (i) and (ii), for the figures, letters and words “31st day of December, 1959”, the
figures, letters and words “31st day of December, 1959”, the figures, letters and words “31st day of
March, 1961, or such other date, not being later than the 31st day of March, 1962, as the State
Government may, from time to time, fix by notification in the Gazette” shall be substituted;
(b) after the existing proviso, the following further proviso, the following further proviso shall be
inserted, namely:—
“Provided further that where, in fixing the minimum rates of wages of any employment under
sub-clause (1) or sub-clause (ii), any class of employees is left out, the State Government may, at
any time, fix the minimum rates of wages payable to such class of employees.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this proviso, the expression “employees left out” with
reference to an employment shall include—
(i) employees employed in a particular locality in the employment, the minimum rates of
wages payable to whom have not been fixed;
(ii) employees employed in any process or branch of work which was not in existence in the
employment at the time when the minimum rates of wages were fixed;
[Vide Kerala Act 18 of 1960, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 22-9-1960)].
4. Minimum rate of wages.—(1) Any minimum rate of wages fixed or revised by the appropriate
Government in respect of scheduled employments under section 3 may consist of—

(i) a basic rate of wages and a special allowance at a rate to be adjusted, at such intervals and in
such manner as the appropriate Government may direct, to accord as nearly as practicable with the

1. Subs. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 3 for clause (b).

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 variation in the cost of living index number applicable to such workers (hereinafter referred to as the
“cost of living allowance”); or

(ii) a basic rate of wages with or without the cost of living allowance, and the cash value of the
concessions in respect of supplies of essential commodities at concession rates, where so authorised;
or

(iii) an all-inclusive rate allowing for the basic rate, the cost of living allowance and the cash
value of the concessions, if any.

(2) The cost of living allowance and the cash value of the concessions in respect of supplies of
essential commodities at concession rates shall be computed by the competent authority at such intervals
and in accordance with such directions as may be specified or given by the appropriate Government.

[5. Procedure for fixing and revising minimum wages.—(1) In fixing minimum rates of wages in
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respect of any scheduled employment for the first time under this Act or in revising minimum rates of
wages so fixed, the appropriate Government shall either—

(a) appoint as many committees and sub-committees as it considers necessary to hold enquiries
and advise it in respect of such fixation or revision, as the case may be, or

(b) by notification in the Official Gazette, publish its proposals for the information of persons
likely to be affected thereby and specify a date, not less than two months from the date of the
notification, on which the proposals will be taken into consideration.

(2) After considering the advice of the committee or committees appointed under clause (a) of sub-
section (1), or as the case may be, all representations received by it before the date specified in the
notification under clause (b) of that sub-section, the appropriate Government shall, by notification in the
Official Gazette, fix, or, as the case may be, revise the minimum rates of wages in respect of each
scheduled employment, and unless such notification otherwise provides, it shall come into force on the
expiry of three months from the date of its issue:

Provided that where the appropriate Government proposes to revise the minimum rates of wages by
the mode specified in clause (b) of sub-section (1), the appropriate Government shall consult the Advisory
Board also.]

STATE AMENDMENTS

Assam

In Section 5 of the said Act, at the end of Clause (a) of Sub-section (1), for the comma and the word “or”
after the word “be”, a colon shall be substituted and the following proviso shall be added, namely:—

“Provided the committees and sub-committee as so appointed may advise the appropriate
Government in respect of fixation of wages on interim measure after holding such preliminary enquiries
as the committee or the sub-committee, as the case may be, considers necessary in this behalf and the
appropriate Government after considering such advice may fix the wages pending the fixation of the
minimum rate of wages as required under sub-section (2) or”.

[Vide Assam Act 19 of 1964, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 11-8-1964)].

1. Subs. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 4, for section 5.

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 6. [Advisory committees and sub-committees.] Omitted by the Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act,
1957 (30 of 1957), s. 5.
7. Advisory Board.—For the purpose of co-ordinating the work of 1[committees and sub-committees
appointed under section 5] and advising the appropriate Government generally in the matter of fixing and
revising minimum rates of wages, the appropriate Government shall appoint an Advisory Board.
8. Central Advisory Board.—(1) For the purpose of advising the Central and State Governments in
the matters of the fixation and revision of minimum rates of wages and other matters under this Act and
for co-ordinating the work of the Advisory Boards, the Central Government shall appoint a Central
Advisory Board.
(2) The Central Advisory Board shall consist of persons to be nominated by the Central Government
representing employers and employees in the scheduled employments, who shall be equal in number, and
independent persons not exceeding one-third of its total number of members; one of such independent
persons shall be appointed the Chairman of the Board by the Central Government.
9. Composition of committees, etc.—Each of the committees, sub-committees 2*** and the
Advisory Board shall consist of persons to be nominated by the appropriate Government representing
employers and employees in the scheduled employments, who shall be equal in number, and independent
persons not exceeding one-third of its total number of members; one of such independent persons shall be
appointed the Chairman by the appropriate Government.
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[10. Correction of errors.—(1) The appropriate Government may, at any time, by notification in the
Official Gazette, correct clerical or arithmetical mistakes in any order fixing or revising minimum rates
of wages under this Act, or errors arising therein from any accidental slip or omission.
(2) Every such notification shall, as soon as may be after it is issued, be placed before the Advisory
Board for information.]
11. Wages in kind.—(1) Minimum wages payable under this Act shall be paid in cash.
(2) Where it has been the custom to pay wages wholly or partly in kind, the appropriate Government
being of the opinion that it is necessary in the circumstances of the case may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, authorise the payment of minimum wages either wholly or partly in kind.
(3) If the appropriate Government is of the opinion that provision should be made for the supply of
essential commodities at concession rates, the appropriate Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, authorise the provision of such supplies at concession rates.
(4) The cash value of wages in kind and of concessions in respect of supplies of essential
commodities at concession rates authorised under sub-sections (2) and (3) shall be estimated in the
prescribed manner.
12. Payment of minimum rates of wages.—(1) Where in respect of any scheduled employment a
notification under section 5 4*** is in force, the employer shall pay to every employee engaged in a
scheduled employment under him wages at a rate not less than the minimum rate of wages fixed by such
notification for that class of employees in that employment without any deductions except as may be
authorised within such time and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
(2) Nothing contained in this section shall affect the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (4
of 1936).

1. Subs. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 6, for “committees, sub-committees, advisory committees and the advisory sub-committees
appointed under sections 5 and 6”
2. The words “advisory committee, advisory sub-committees” omitted by s. 7, ibid.
3. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for section 10.
4. The words and figures “or section 10” omitted by s. 9, ibid.

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 13. Fixing hours for a normal working day, etc.—1[(1)] In regard to any scheduled employment
minimum rates of wages in respect of which have been fixed under this Act, the appropriate Government
may—
(a) fix the number of hours of work which shall constitute a normal working day, inclusive of one
or more specified intervals;
(b) provide for a day of rest in every period of seven days which shall be allowed to all
employees or to any specified class of employees and for the payment of remuneration in respect of
such days of rest;
(c) provide for payment for work on a day of rest at a rate not less than the overtime rate.
2
[(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall, in relation to the following classes of employees, apply
only to such extent and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed:—
(a) employees engaged on urgent work, or in any emergency which could not have been foreseen
or prevented;
(b) employees engaged in work in the nature of preparatory or complementary work which must
necessarily be carried on outside the limits laid down for the general working in the employment
concerned;
(c) employees whose employment is essentially intermittent;
(d) employees engaged in any work which for technical reasons has to be completed before the
duty is over;
(e) employees engaged in a work which could not be carried on except at times dependent on the
irregular action of natural forces.
(3) For the purposes of clause (c) of sub-section (2), employment of an employee is essentially
intermittent when it is declared to be so by the appropriate Government on the ground that the daily hours
of duty of the employee, or if there be no daily hours of duty as such for the employee, the hours of duty,
normally include periods of inaction during which the employee may be on duty but is not called upon to
display either physical activity or sustained attention.]
14. Overtime.—(1) Where an employee, whose minimum rate of wages is fixed under this Act by the
hour, by the day or by such a longer wage-period as may be prescribed, works on any day in excess of the
number of hours constituting a normal working day, the employer shall pay him for every hour or for part
of an hour so worked in excess at the overtime rate fixed under this Act or under any law of the
appropriate Government for the time being in force, whichever is higher.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall prejudice the operation of the provisions of 3[section 59 of the Factories
Act, 1948 (63 of 1948)] in any case where those provisions are applicable.
15. Wages of worker who works for less than normal working day.—If an employee whose
minimum rate of wages has been fixed under this Act by the day works on any day on which he was
employed for a period less than the requisite number of hours constituting a normal working day, he shall,
save as otherwise hereinafter provided, be entitled to receive wages in respect of work done by him on
that day as if he had worked for a full normal working day:
Provided, however, that he shall not be entitled to receive wages for a full normal working day—
(i) in any case where his failure to work is caused by his unwillingness to work and not by the
omission of the employer to provide him with work, and
(ii) in such other cases and circumstances as may be prescribed.

1. Section 13 re-numbered as sub-section (1) of thereof by Act 30 of 1957, s. 10.

2. Ins. by s. 10, ibid.
3. Subs. by Act 26 of 1954, s. 4 for “section 47 of the Factories Act, 1934 (25 of 1934)”.

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 16. Wages for two or more classes of work.—Where an employee does two or more classes of work
to each of which a different minimum rate of wages is applicable, the employer shall pay to such
employee in respect of the time respectively occupied in each such class of work, wages at not less than
the minimum rate in force in respect of each such class.
17. Minimum time rate wages for piece work.—Where an employee is employed on piece work for
which minimum time rate and not a minimum piece rate has been fixed under this Act, the employer shall
pay to such employee wages at not less than the minimum time rate.
18. Maintenance of registers and records.—(1) Every employer shall maintain such registers and
records giving such particulars of employees employed by him, the work performed by them, the wages
paid to them, the receipts given by them and such other particulars and in such form as may be prescribed.
(2) Every employer shall keep exhibited, in such manner as may be prescribed, in the factory,
workshop or place where the employees in the scheduled employment may be employed, or in the case of
out-workers, in such factory, workshop or place as may be used for giving out-work to them, notices in
the prescribed form containing prescribed particulars.
(3) The appropriate Government may, by rules made under this Act, provide for the issue of wage
books or wage slips to employees employed in any scheduled employment in respect of which minimum
rates of wages have been fixed and prescribe the manner in which entries shall be made and authenticated
in such wage books or wage slips by the employer or his agent.
19. Inspectors.—(1) The appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
appoint such persons as it thinks fit to be Inspectors for the purposes of this Act, and define the local
limits within which they shall exercise their functions.
(2) Subject to any rules made in this behalf, an Inspector may, within the local limits for which he is
appointed—
(a) enter, at all reasonable hours, with such assistants (if any), being persons in the service of the
Government or any local or other public authority, as he thinks fit, any premises or place where
employees are employed or work is given out to out-workers in any scheduled employment in respect
of which minimum rates of wages have been fixed under this Act, for the purpose of examining any
register, record of wages or notices required to be kept or exhibited by or under this Act or rules made
thereunder, and require the production thereof for inspection;
(b) examine any person whom he finds in any such premises or place and who, he has reasonable
cause to believe, is an employee employed therein or an employee to whom work is given out therein;
(c) require any person giving out-work and any out-workers, to give any information, which is in
his power to give, with respect to the names and addresses of the persons to, for and from whom the
work is given out or received, and with respect to the payments to be made for the work;
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[(d) seize or take copies of such register, record of wages or notices or portions thereof as he
may consider relevant in respect of an offence under this Act which he has reason to believe has been
committed by an employer; and]
(e) exercise such other powers as may be prescribed.
(3) Every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Indian Penal
Code (45 of 1860).
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[(4) Any person required to produce any document or thing or to give any information by an
Inspector under sub-section (2) shall be deemed to be legally bound to do so within the meaning of
section 175 and section 176 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).]

1. Subs. by Act 30 of 1857, s. 11, for clause (d).

2. Ins. by s. 11, ibid.

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 20. Claims.—(1) The appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint
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[any Commissioner for Workmen's Compensation or any officer of the Central Government exercising
functions as a Labour Commissioner for any region, or any officer of the State Government not below the
rank of Labour Commissioner or any] other officer with experience as a Judge of a Civil Court or as a
stipendiary Magistrate to be the Authority to hear and decide for any specified area all claims arising out
of payment of less than the minimum rates of wages 2[or in respect of the payment of remuneration for
days of rest or for work done on such days under clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 13
or of wages at the overtime rate under section 14,] to employees employed or paid in that area.
(2) 3[Where an employee has any claim of the nature referred to in sub-section (1)], the employee
himself, or any legal practitioner or any official of a registered trade union authorised in writing to act on
his behalf, or any Inspector, or any person acting with the permission of the Authority appointed under
sub-section (1), may apply to such Authority for a direction under sub-section (3):
Provided that every such application shall be presented within six months from the date on which the
minimum wages 2[or other amount] became payable:
Provided further that any application may be admitted after the said period of six months when the
applicant satisfies the Authority that he had sufficient cause for not making the application within such
period.
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[(3) When any application under sub-section (2) is entertained, the Authority shall hear the applicant
and the employer, or give them an opportunity of being heard, and after such further inquiry, if any, as it
may consider necessary, may, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the employer may be liable
under this Act, direct—
(i) in the case of a claim arising out of payment of less than the minimum rates of wages, the
payment to the employee of the amount by which the minimum wages payable to him exceed the
amount actually paid, together with the payment of such compensation as the Authority may think fit,
not exceeding ten times the amount of such excess;
(ii) in any other case, the payment of the amount due to the employee, together with the payment
of such compensation as the Authority may think fit, not exceeding ten rupees,
and the Authority may direct payment of such compensation in cases where the excess or the amount due
is paid by the employer to the employee before the disposal of the application.]
(4) If the Authority hearing any application under this section is satisfied that it was either malicious
or vexatious, it may direct that a penalty not exceeding fifty rupees be paid to the employer by the person
presenting the application.
(5) Any amount directed to be paid under this section may be recovered—
(a) if the Authority is a Magistrate, by the Authority as if it were a fine imposed by the Authority
as a Magistrate, or
(b) if the Authority is not a Magistrate, by any Magistrate to whom the Authority makes
application in this behalf, as if it were a fine imposed by such Magistrate.
(6) Every direction of the Authority under this section shall be final.
(7) Every Authority appointed under sub-section (1) shall have all the powers of a Civil Court under
the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), for the purpose of taking evidence and of enforcing the
attendance of witnesses and compelling the production of documents, and every such Authority shall be
deemed to be a Civil Court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXXV of the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898).

1. Subs. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 12, for “any Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation or”.
2. Ins. by s. 12, ibid.
3. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for certain words.
4. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for sub-section (3) .

11
 STATE AMENDMENTS
Kerala
Amendment of Section 20.—In section 20 of the Minimum wages Act, 1948 (Central Act 11 of
1948) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act),—
(a) in sub-section (1), for the words “or any officer of the State Government not below the rank of a
Labour Commissioner”, the words “or any officer of the State Government not below the rank of a
Deputy Labour Commissioner” shall be substituted;
(b) in sub-section (4), for the words “fifty rupees”, the words “one hundred rupees” shall be
substituted;
(c) in sub-section (5), for clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:—
“(b) if the Authority is not a Magistrate, by the Authority, as if it were arrears of revenue due on land, without
prejudice to any other mode of recovery.”.
[Vide Kerala Act 23 of 2017, sec. 2].
Karnataka
Amendment of section 20.—In section 20 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (Central Act XI of 1948), (herein after
referred to as the Principal Act,—
(i) in sub-section (1), for the words “not below the rank of Labour Commissioner”, the words “not below the rank of
Assistant Labour Commissioner” shall be substituted.
(ii) in sub-section (4), for the words “fifty rupees” the words “one thousand rupees” shall be substituted.
[Vide Karnataka Act 40 of 2017, sec. 2].
Karnataka
In sub-section (1) of section 20, for the words “stipendiary Magistrate” the words “Judicial
Magistrate” shall be substituted.
[Vide Karnataka Act 13 of 1965, s. 67 and Schedule]
21. Single application in respect of a number of employees.—(1) 1[Subject to such rules as may be
prescribed, a single application] may be presented under section 20 on behalf or in respect of any number
of employees employed in the scheduled employment in respect of which minimum rates of wages have
been fixed and in such cases the maximum compensation which may be awarded under sub-section (3) of
section 20 shall not exceed ten times the aggregate amount of such excess 2[or ten rupees per head, as the
case may be].
(2) The Authority may deal with any number of separate pending applications presented under section
20 in respect of employees in the scheduled employments in respect of which minimum rates of wages
have been fixed, as a single application presented under sub-section (1) of this section and the provisions
of that sub-section shall apply accordingly.
3
[22. Penalties for certain offences.—Any employer who—
(a) pays to any employee less than the minimum rates of wages fixed for that employee's class of
work, or less than the amount due to him under the provisions of this Act, or
(b) contravenes any rule or order made under section 13,
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which
may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both:
Provided that in imposing any fine for an offence under this section, the Court shall take into
consideration the amount of any compensation already awarded against the accused in any proceedings
taken under section 20.

1. Subs. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 13, for “A single application”.

2.Ins. by s. 13, ibid.
3. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for section 22.

12
 STATE AMENDMENTS
Kerala
Amendment of Section 22.—In section 22 of the principal Act, for the words “five hundred rupees” the words
“one lakh rupees” shall be substituted.
[Vide Kerala Act 23 of 2017, sec. 3].
Karnataka
Amendment of section 22.—In section 22 of the Principal Act for the words “which may extend to
five hundred rupees” the words “which shall not be less than five thousand rupees but which may extend
to ten thousand rupees” shall be substituted.
[Vide Karnataka Act 40 of 2017, sec. 3].
22A. General provision for punishment of other offences.—Any employer who contravenes any
provision of this Act or of any rule or order made thereunder shall, if no other penalty is provided for such
contravention by this Act, be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
Kerala
Substitution of Section 22A.—For section 22A of the principal Act, the following section shall be
substituted, namely:—
“22A. General Provision for punishment of other offences.—(1) Whoever contravenes the provisions
of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two lakh
rupees and in the case of a continuing contravention, with an additional fine which may extend to two
thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention continues:
Provided that the total amount of fine shall not exceed two thousand rupees per worker employed.
(2) If any person who has been convicted of any offence punishable under sub-section (1) is again
guilty of an offence involving a contravention or failure of compliance of the same provision, he shall be
punishable on a subsequent conviction with fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which
may extend to five lakh rupees.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) of section 29 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974), it shall be lawful for the Magistrate to impose a fine for an
amount exceeding ten thousand rupees.”.
[Vide Kerala Act 23 of 2017, sec. 4].
Karnataka
Amendment of section 22A.—In section 22A of the Principal Act, for the words “five hundred
rupees” the words “ten thousand rupees” shall be substituted.
[Vide Karnataka Act 40 of 2017, sec. 4].
22B. Cognizance of offences.—(1) No Court shall take cognizance of a complaint against any person
for an offence—
(a) under clause (a) of section 22 unless an application in respect of the facts constituting such
offence has been presented under section 20 and has been granted wholly or in part, and the
appropriate Government or an officer authorised by it in this behalf has sanctioned the making of the
complaint;
(b) under clause (b) of section 22 or under section 22A except on a complaint made by, or with
the sanction of, an Inspector.
(2) No Court shall take cognizance of an offence—
(a) under clause (a) or clause (b) of section 22, unless complaint thereof is made within one
month of the grant of sanction under this section;
(b) under section 22A, unless complaint thereof is made within six months of the date on which
the offence is alleged to have been committed.

13
 22C. Offences by companies.—(1) If the person committing any offence under this Act is a
company, every person who at the time the offence was committed, was incharge of, and was responsible
to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company shall be deemed
to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any
punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or
that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been
committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or
connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other
officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company shall also be
deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—
(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals,
and
(b) “director” in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm.
Uttar Pradesh
Insertion of new section 22-CC, in Act (11 of 1948).—In the minimum Wages Act, after section
22-C, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—
“22-CC. Compounding of offence.—An Officer specially empowered by the State Government
in this behalf by notification may, subject to any general or special order of the State Government in
this behalf, compound any offence punishable under this Act with fine only committed for the first
time, either before or after the institution of the prosecution, on realization of such amount of
composition fee as he thinks fit, not exceeding the maximum amount of fine fixed for the offence;
and where the offence is so compounded—
(i) before the institution of the prosecution, the offender shall not be liable to prosecution for
such offence and shall, if in custody, be set at liberty;
(ii) before the institution of the prosecution, the composition shall amount to acquittal of the
offender.’’
[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 35 of 1979, s. 3]
22D. Payment of undisbursed amounts due to employees.—All amounts payable by an employer
to an employee as the amount of minimum wages of the employee under this Act or otherwise due to the
employee under this Act or any rule or order made thereunder shall, if such amounts could not or cannot
be paid to the employee on account of his death before payment or on account of his whereabouts not
being known, be deposited with the prescribed authority who shall deal with the money so deposited in
such manner as may be prescribed.
22E. Protection against attachment of assets of employer with Government.—Any amount
deposited with the appropriate Government by an employer to secure the due performance of a contract
with that Government and any other amount due to such employer from that Government in respect of
such contract shall not be liable to attachment under any decree or order of any Court in respect of any
debt or liability incurred by the employer other than any debt or liability incurred by the employer
towards any employee employed in connection with the contract aforesaid.
22F. Application of Payment of Wages Act, 1936, to scheduled employments.—(1)
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (4 of 1936). the appropriate
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that, subject to the provisions of sub-
section (2), all or any of the provisions of the said Act shall with such modifications, if any, as may be
specified in the notification, apply to wages payable to employees in such scheduled employments as may
be specified in the notification.

14
 (2) Where all or any of the provisions of the said Act are applied to wages payable to employees in
any scheduled employment under sub-section (1), the Inspector appointed under this Act shall, be deemed
to be the Inspector for the purpose of enforcement of the provisions so applied within the local limits of
his jurisdiction.]
Manipur
Insertion of section 22CC.—In the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (No. 21 of 1948) below section 22C, the
following section shall be inserted, namely:—
“22CC.Compounding of offences.—An officer specially empowered by the State Government in this
behalf by notification in the official gazette may, subject to any general or special order of the State
Government in this behalf, compound any offence punishable under this Act with fine only committed for the
first time either before or after the institution of the prosecution, on realization of such amount of composition
fee as he thinks fit, not exceeding the maximum amount of fine fixed for the offence, and where the offence is
so compounded—
(i) before the institution of the prosecution, the offender shall not be liable to prosecution for such
offence and shall, if in custody, be set at liberty;
(ii) after the institution of the prosecution, the composition shall amount to acquittal of the offender.”.
[Vide Manipur Act 7 of 1992, s. 2]
23. Exemption of employer from liability in certain cases.—Where an employer is charged with an
offence against this Act, he shall be entitled, upon complaint duly made by him, to have any other person
whom he charges as the actual offender, brought before the Court at the time appointed for hearing the
charge; and if, after the commission of the offence has been proved, the employer proves to the
satisfaction of the Court—
(a) that he has used due diligence to enforce the execution of this Act, and
(b) that the said other person committed the offence in question without his knowledge, consent
or connivance,
that other person shall be convicted of the offence and shall be liable to the like punishment as if he were
the employer and the employer shall be discharged:
Provided that in seeking to prove, as aforesaid, the employer may be examined on oath, and the evidence of the
employer or his witness, if any, shall be subject to cross-examination by or on behalf of the person whom the
employer charges as the actual offender and by the prosecution.
24. Bar of suits.—No Court shall entertain any suit for the recovery of wages in so far as the sum so claimed—
(a) forms the subject of an application under section 20 which has been presented by or on behalf of the
plaintiff, or
(b) has formed the subject of a direction under that section in favour of the plaintiff, or
(c) has been adjudged in any proceeding under that section not to be due to the plaintiff, or
(d) could have been recovered by an application under that section.
25. Contracting out.—Any contract or agreement, whether made before or after the commencement of this
Act, whereby an employee either relinquishes or reduces his right to a minimum rate of wages or any privilege or
concession accruing to him under this Act shall be null and void in so far as it purports to reduce the minimum rate
of wages fixed under this Act.
26. Exemptions and exceptions.—(1) The appropriate Government may, subject to such conditions if any as it
may think fit to impose, direct that the provisions of this Act shall not apply in relation to the wages payable to
disabled employees.
(2) The appropriate Government may, if for special reasons it thinks so fit, by notification in the Official
Gazette, direct that 1[subject to such conditions and] for such period as it may specify the provisions of this Act or
any of them shall not apply to all or any class of employees employed in any scheduled employment or to any
locality where there is carried on a scheduled employment.
2
[(2A) The appropriate Government may, if it is of opinion that, having regard to the terms and conditions of
service applicable to any class of employees in a scheduled employment generally or in a scheduled employment in
a local area 1[or to any establishment or a part of any establishment in a scheduled employment], it is not necessary
to fix minimum wages in respect of such employees of that class 1[or in respect of employees in such establishment
or such part of any establishment] as are in receipt of wages exceeding such limit as may be prescribed in this

1. Ins. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 15.

2. Ins. by Act 26 of 1954, s. 5.

15
behalf, direct, by notification in the Official Gazette and subject to such conditions, if any, as it may think fit to
impose, that the provisions of this Act or any of them shall not apply in relation to such employees.]
(3) Nothing in this Act shall apply to the wages payable by an employer to a member of his family who is living
with him and is dependent on him.
Explanation.—In this sub-section a member of the employer's family shall be deemed to include his or her
spouse or child or parent or brother or sister.
27. Power of State Government to add to Schedule.—The appropriate Government, after giving by
notification in the Official Gazette not less than three months' notice of its intention so to do, may, by like
notification, add to either Part of the Schedule any employment in respect of which it is of opinion that minimum
rates of wages should be fixed under this Act, and thereupon the Schedule shall in its application to the State be
deemed to be amended accordingly.
28. Power of Central Government to give directions.—The Central Government may give directions to a
State Government as to the carrying into execution of this Act in the State.
29. Power of the Central Government to make rules.—The Central Government may, subject to the
condition of previous publication, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules prescribing the term of office of
the members, the procedure to be followed in the conduct of business, the method of voting, the manner of filling up
casual vacancies in membership and the quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the Central Advisory
Board.
30. Power of appropriate Government to make rules.—(1) The appropriate Government may, subject to the
condition of previous publication, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of
this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may—
(a) prescribe the term of office of the members, the procedure to be followed in the conduct of business, the
method of voting, the manner of filling up casual vacancies in membership and the quorum necessary for the
transaction of business of the committees, sub-committees, 1*** and the Advisory Board;
(b) prescribe the method of summoning witnesses, production of documents relevant to the subject-matter
of the enquiry before the committees, sub-committees, 1*** and the Advisory Board;

(c) prescribe the mode of computation of the cash value of wages in kind and of concessions in
respect of supplies of essential commodities at concession rates;
(d) prescribe the time and conditions of payment of, and the deductions permissible from, wages;
(e) provide for giving adequate publicity to the minimum rates of wages fixed under this Act;
(f) provide for a day of rest in every period of seven days and for the payment of remuneration in
respect of such day;
(g) prescribe the number of hours of work which shall constitute a normal working day;
(h) prescribe the cases and circumstances in which an employee employed for a period of less than
the requisite number of hours constituting a normal working day shall not be entitled to receive wages for
a full normal working day;
(i) prescribe the form of registers and records to be maintained and the particulars to be entered in
such registers and records;
(j) provide for the issue of wage books and wage slips and prescribe the manner of making and
authenticating entries in wage books and wage slips;
(k) prescribe the powers of Inspectors for purposes of this Act;
(l) regulate the scale of costs that may be allowed in proceedings under section 20;
(m) prescribe the amount of court-fees payable in respect of proceedings under section 20; and
(n) provide for any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

1 The words “advisory committees, advisory sub-committees” omitted by Act 30 of 1957, s. 16.

16
 1
[30A. Rules made by Central Government to be laid before Parliament.—2[(1)] Every rule made
by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made before each
House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one
session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the
session immediately following, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses
agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or
be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without
prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.]
3
[(2) every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it
is made, before the State Legislature.]
4
[31. Validation of fixation of certain minimum rates of wages.—Where during the period—
(a) commencing on the 1st day of April, 1952, and ending with the date of the commencement of
the Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act, 1954 (26 of 1954); or
(b) commencing on the 31st day of December, 1954, and ending with the date of the
commencement of the Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act, 1957 (30 of 1957); or
(c) commencing on the 31st day of December, 1959, and ending with the date of the
commencement of the Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act, 1961 (31 of 1961),
minimum rates of wages have been fixed by an appropriate Government as being payable to employees
employed in any employment specified in the Schedule in the belief or purported belief that such rates
were being fixed under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 3, as in force immediately before the
commencement of the Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act, 1954 (26 of 1954), or the Minimum Wages
(Amendment) Act, 1957 (30 of 1957), or the Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act, 1961(31 of 1961), as
the case may be, such rates shall be deemed to have been fixed in accordance with law and shall not be
called in question in any court on the ground merely that the relevant date specified for the purpose in that
clause had expired at the time the rates were fixed:
Provided that nothing contained in this section shall extend, or be construed to extend, to affect any
person with any punishment or penalty whatsoever by reason of the payment by him by way of wages to
any of his employees during any period specified in this section of an amount which is less than the
minimum rates of wages referred to in this section or by reason of non-compliance during the period
aforesaid with any order or rule issued under section 13.]

1. Ins. by Act 31 of 1961, s. 3.

2. Section 30A re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 4 of 2005, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 11-1-2005).
3. Ins. by Act 4 of 2005, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 11-1-2005).
4. Subs. by Act 31 of 1961, s. 4, for section 31.

17
 SCHEDULE

[See sections 2(g) and 27]

PART 1
1. Employment in any wollen carpet making or shawl weaving establishment.
2. Employment in any rice mill, flour mill or dal mill.
3. Employment in any tobacco (including bidi making) manufactory.
4. Employment in any plantation, that is to say, any estate which is maintained for the purpose of growing
cinchona, rubber, tea or coffee.
5. Employment in any oil mill.
6. Employment under any local authority
1
[7. Employment on the construction or maintenance of roads or in building operations.]
8. Employment in stone breaking or stone crushing.
9. Employment in any lac manufactory.
10. Employment in any mica works.
11. Employment in public motor transport.
12. Employment in tanneries and leather manufactory.
2
[Employment in gypsum mines.
Employment in barytes mines.
Employment in bauxite mines.]
3
[Employment in manganese mines.]
4
[Employment in the maintenance of buildings and employment in the construction and maintenance
of runways.]
5
[Employment in China Clay mines.
Employment in Kyanite mines.]
6
[Employment in Copper mines.]
7
[Employment in clay mines covered under the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952).]
8
[Employment in magnesite mines covered under the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952).]
9
[Employment in white clay mines.]
10
[Employment in stone mines.]
11
[Employment in steatile (including the mines producing Seapstone and Tale).]
12
[Employment in Ochre Mines.]
13
[Employment in Asbestos mines.]

1. Subs. by Act 30 of 1957, s. 18, for item No. 7.

2. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 3760, dated 4th December, 1962.
3. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 3760, dated 30th October, 1962.
4. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 1987, dated 30th May, 1968.
5. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 586, dated 5th February, 1970.
6. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 795, dated 13th February, 1970.
7. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 796, dated 18th February, 1970.
8. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2357, dated 1st July, 1970.
9. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 3896, dated the 3rd September, 1971.
10. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 3898, dated 15th September, 1971.
11. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2972, dated 1st July, 1972.
12. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2973, dated 1st July, 1972.
13. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2974, dated 6th July, 1972.

18
 1
[Employment in Fire Clay mines.]
2
[Employment in Chromite mines.]
3
[Employment in quartizite mines.
Employment in quartz mines.
Employment in silica mines.]
4
[Employment in graphic mines.]
5
[Employment in feldspar mines.]
6
[Employment in laterite mines.]
7
[Employment in dolomite mines.]
8
[Employment in redoxide mines.]
9
[Employment in wolfram mines.]
10
[Employment in iron ore mines.]
11
[Employment in granite mines.]

PART II

1. Employment in agriculture, that is to say, in any form of farming, including the cultivation and
tillage of the soil, dairy farming, the production, cultivation, growing and harvesting of any agricultural or
horticultural commodity, the raising of live-stock, bees or poultry, and any practice performed by a farmer
or on a farm as incidental to or in conjunction with farm operations (including any forestry or timbering
operations and the preparation for market and delivery to storage or to market or to carriage for
transportation to market of farm produce).

1. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 1587, dated 24th May, 1973.

2. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2311, dated 3rd July, 1975.
3. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 4030, dated 4th February, 1976.
4. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 558, dated 29th January, 1977.
5. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 1823, dated 14th June, 1978.
6. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2945, dated 22nd September, 1978.
7. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2950, dated 25th September, 1978.
8. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 3248, dated 26th October, 1978.
9. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 3671, dated 7th December, 1978.
10. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 1757, dated 16th June, 1980.
11. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2473, dated 3rd September, 1980.

19