Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 29 December 2023
The Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has announced a significant revision in minimum wages, effective from the 1st of January, 2024, across six employment schedules, including Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs) working under the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
This decision followed the establishment of the Minimum Wages Advisory Committee by the A & N Administration on May 31, 2023. The committee diligently reviewed and submitted its comprehensive report on July 5, 2023, proposing the revision of minimum wages, scheduled to take effect from the beginning of 2024.
In accordance with the committee’s recommendations, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration released a draft notification on August 25, 2023, inviting suggestions and objections regarding the proposed wage revision for a 60-day period. The feedback received during this period was thoroughly examined. Subsequently, the Lt. Governor (Administrator), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, after due consideration of the objections and suggestions, approved the revised rates.
The revised rates are standardised across all three districts and encompass six different categories of employments, including DRMs working under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration:
– Unskilled: Rs. 628 per day
– Semi-Skilled/Unskilled: Rs. 709 per day
– Skilled/Clerical: Rs. 832 per day
– Highly Skilled: Rs. 915 per day
To ensure accessibility, the Notification of Revision of Minimum Wages has been made available on the Labour Department Website (https://labour.and.nic.in/). Additionally, all stakeholders, including government departments and private establishments, have been urged to download the notification for compliance.
A strict directive has been issued to all establishments, both private and government-run, mandating adherence to the revised rates. Non-compliance with the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and its accompanying rules will prompt punitive actions as stipulated therein.
This significant wage revision aims to uphold fair compensation standards for workers across various sectors in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and is set to come into effect at the dawn of the new year.