Shillong, July 24: The state government has paved way for wage hike for workers engaged in different sectors as it ordered revision of minimum wages with effect from April 1, 2025.
To be implemented across wide range of scheduled employments in Meghalaya, the government also notified eight hours per day and 48 hours per week as standard working hours.
The working hours will be applicable for all categories of workers, including those employed in the hospitality sector.
According to an official notification, the revised wages include Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) component, and are applicable to 29 categories of employment ranging from agriculture, construction, mining and public transport to tailoring, motor workshops, domestic work and security services.
The Labour department framed the new rates under provisions of Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
Unskilled workers will now receive ₹541 per day (inclusive of ₹16 VDA), semi-skilled workers ₹583 (inclusive of ₹18 VDA), skilled workers ₹624 (inclusive of ₹19 VDA), and highly-skilled workers ₹665 (inclusive of ₹20 VDA).
These rates are inclusive of a weekly rest day but exclusive of any other concessions that may be enjoyed by the employee.
The government has also clarified definitions for different skill categories.
Unskilled work refers to simple operations requiring little or no experience, while semi-skilled work involves a certain level of competence gained through on-the-job experience and supervision.
Skilled work demands formal training or significant experience, requiring initiative and judgment.
Highly-skilled work refers to expertise requiring great skill and precision.
The revised wages will be reviewed every six months through adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure inflation-linked increments in the VDA.
The notification also reiterates that overtime work must be compensated at double the regular rate of wages, and it supersedes an earlier notification issued on January 14, 2025.
This move aims to protect and promote fair compensation for workers across sectors, particularly those in vulnerable and unorganised segments of employment, stated the notification.
