Bhavin Swati

The minimum wages act,1948 is the first labour legislation in the country. It deals with the fixation of minimum rates of wages for workers.

SCOPE

The Act empowers the state and the central governments to fix minimum rates of wages in respect of workers employed in the Schedule of the Act. It has two parts:


1. 2.

PART I
Oil mill. Road construction or building operations. Public motor transport. Woollen carpet making or shawl weaving establishment.

3.
4.

1. 2. 3. 4.

PART II
Bauxite mines. China clay mines. Copper mines. Stone mines.

 The

Act empowers the appropriate govt. in respect of employments in their respective jurisdiction, to fix minimum rates of wages for time or for piece-work and also, a minimum rate of remuneration as guaranteed time rate and minimum rate of wages for overtime work.

Two distinct procedures. 1st procedures Here, government may appoint a committee, and sub-committees for different areas to hold enquries , and to advice on the question of wage-fixation. 2nd procedures Government may by notification in the official gazette, publish its own proposals of minimum rate of wages for information of persons likely to be affected and specify a date not less than 2 months form the date of notification.

Employee engaged on urgent work ,or in any emergency which could not have been foreseen or prevented. Employee whose employment is essentially intermittent Employee engaged in any work which for technical reasons has to be completed before the duty is over.