MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has issued an official notification following the President’s approval, fixing the monthly minimum wage for unskilled employees across the state at Rs 37,000.
The notification was issued by the Secretariat Industries, Labour and Mineral Resources on Monday.
“The President of AJ&K, upon the decision of the Cabinet of AJ&K and recommendation of Minimum Wages Board (meeting held on 18-09-2024) has been pleased to approve the following minimum rates of wages for unskilled workers employed in all industrial and commercial establishments of the State of AJ&K similar to those in Punjab,” the notification added.
As per details, the government has fixed minimum rates for a day at Rs. 1423, while the monthly salary has been fixed at Rs. 37000.
Furthermore, the government has notified that the employers will be allowed to deduct funds for housing accommodation and the transport facility “subject to agreement between the employer and the worker.”
For providing housing accommodation, the employers will be allowed to deduct Rs. 459.83 per month and Rs. 98.28 per month for providing transport facility.
“For work of equal value, a female worker shall get the equal rates of wages as allowed to a male worker receives for work of equal value,” the notification read.
In addition to that, the notification alleged that “the existing rates of wages, if higher than the minimum rates of wages as fixed aforesaid, shall not be reduced.”
“However, the employer shall be free to pay higher rates of wages either unilaterally on his initiative or by mutual agreement in view of any special considerations including higher grade of skill or experience or higher cost of living in a particular locality or any other reasons.”
Furthermore, the notification alleged that the minimum rates of wages for all categories of workers (skilled & semi-skilled) as determined by the Government of Punjab vide notification No. SO (L&P) MW/2924 dated 05-09-2024 shall also apply to the workers employed in the Industries established in the territory of AJ&K.
“This notification shall come into force with effect from 18-09-2024,” it concluded.
