Minimum Wages in Kerala Districts: How Can I Find Accurate Information?

Please help in getting the details of minimum wages in districts of Kerala.

Dear Neeraj M R,

You may go through the site paycheck.in for these rates.

Regards,
R.N.Khola

(Labour Law & Legal Consultants)
09810405361

Minimum wages for Kerala have been revised for Shop and Establishments effective from 1/4/2009 as per G.O.(M.S) No.100/2009/LBR dated 23.7.2009. Employees of Hotels, shops, finance Institutions, etc., will now receive new basic pay ranging from Rs. 3727 for Grade E to Rs. 4204 for Grade A. Additionally, Dearness Allowance will be provided at the rate of Rs. 24.90 for every point above 130 points, along with a Municipal allowance of Rs. 100. Feel free to reach out if you require further details.

T.R. Rajeesh (Asst. Labour Officer)
Kerala

As for the revised minimum wages notification regarding Shop and Establishments in Kerala, I currently have the hard copy of Labour Gazette received at my office. Incidentally, I don't have any scanner with me to scan it for posting. I will try to put a scanned copy by next week.

For persons interested in Labour welfare information in Kerala, the Labour Department publishes a monthly magazine in Malayalam called "Thozhil Kshemarangam" with information on minimum wages notification, variable DA points, etc. A one-year subscription costs only Rs. 100 and can be obtained by sending a Money Order to: The Editor, Thozhil Kshemarangam, Labour Commissioner's Office, Housing Board Buildings, Thiruvananthapuram-695001.

T.R. Rajeesh (Asst. Labour Officer) Kerala

Mr. Rajeesh,

Is the basic wage inclusive of any special allowance provided by the company? What percentage of the gross pay does the Basic wage constitute?

Smitha

Basic wages are the most relevant portion of Minimum Wages. It does not include any other allowances or benefits. Purely, it is the base or the relevant portion of wages fixed by the Minimum Wages Committee appointed through notification by the government. Every other allowance is paid to the employee in addition to the basic wages. Basic wages are 100% of basic wages only. Variable Dearness Allowance based on the Consumer Price Index and Municipal Allowance, etc., are paid in addition to the basic wages. According to the Supreme Court judgment, Minimum wages contain only two portions - basic wages and DA for calculating the Gross Minimum Wages.

T.R. Rajeesh

Please help in getting the details of minimum wages for Shops & Establishment Employees effective from 1st April 2009.

---
Thank you for your assistance.

Dear Sir,

I work as an HR Incharge for a reputed star hotel. Sir, could you please provide clarifications on the statement "Dearness Allowance at the rate of Rs. 24.90 for every point over 130 points." What do you mean by points in this context? Also, if possible, could you please share information on where I can access the complete details regarding the minimum wages for hotel employees?

Thank you.

Kind regards

The Dearness Allowance (D.A.) point is based on the Consumer Price Index. With the increase in inflation or fluctuation in market prices, the D.A. point may vary. The D.A. is fixed for certain years. The current D.A. is based on the 1998-99 index. You can obtain the latest minimum wage scales from the nearest Labour offices. I will provide you with the exact information on the nearest Labour office if you share your location.

The main categories of Hotels as per the revised salary are as follows:

Category Basic DA Municipal Allowance

1. Manager 3500 + 796.80 + 100 (with food)

2. Asst. Manager 3400 + 796.80 + 100 (with food)
- Accountant/Cashier
- Receptionist/Steward
- Head Cook/Tea maker
- Room Supervisor

3. Asst. Accountant 3246 + 796.80 + 100 (with food)
- Asst. Steward, Bearer
- Cook, Supplier, Driver
- Barman, Clerk, Waiter
- Store Keeper

4. Room Boy 3173 + 796.80 + 100 (with food)

5. Attender
- Watchman, Cleaner, Sweeper 3096 + 796.80 + 100 (with food)
- Helper

Service Weightage: All employees with service from 5-10 years should pay 5% of the Basic, 10-15 years should receive 10% of the Basic, and 15 years or more should have a 15% increase in Basic pay.

T.R. Rajeesh
Asst. Labour Officer
Kerala

Dear Sir,

We are an Electrical Contract Company with offices in Kozhikode & Kottayam, engaged in various electrical installations and operating an industry for the fabrication of electrical panels. Our categories of employees include an Office Manager, Accountant, Draftsman, Steel Fabricator, Electrician, Helper, Painter, and Driver (LMV).

Could you please advise on the minimum wages applicable to us? Also, could you provide any websites from which I can download the relevant Government Order (GO)?

Thank you.

Dear Sudhanandan,

I believe your establishment/company falls under the Kerala Shops and Establishments Act and not a factory (unless it involves in a manufacturing process), in which case these scales would be applicable to you.

Category: Basic - DA (Nov-Thrissur) - Municipal Allowance

- Office Manager: 4204 + 797 + 100
- Accountant: 3954 + 797 + 100
- Electrician: 4104 + 797 + 100
- Helper: 3877 + 797 + 100
- Driver (LMV): 3954 + 797 + 100

Incidentally, I could not find specific scales for Draughtsman, Steel fabricator, and painter. However, similar scales for Steel Fabricator are Fitter/Mechanic/Technician with a Basic of 3954, and for PAINTER, it may be considered as 3954 (similar to the Polishing category). A Draughtsman may be considered as technical staff with a basic equivalent to that of an accountant, i.e., 3954.

The latest D.A. point at Kozhikode and Kottayam is available from the Labour offices or the website of the Department of Economics and Statistics. Dearness Allowance at the rate of Rs. 24.90 for every point over 130 points should be calculated. At Thrissur, the DA point for November is 162. Therefore, 162-130=32x24.90=797.

Service Weightage - All employees with service from 5-10 years should receive a 5% increase in Basic pay, 10-15 years should get 10% of the Basic, and 15 years or more should receive a 15% increase in Basic pay.

For more details, please contact me.

T.R. Rajeesh

Assistant Labour Officer

Kerala

The latest Minimum Wages notification G.O. (MS) 100/2009/LBR dated 24.7.2009 is not available on the Labour Department website. You can obtain a copy by contacting your nearest Labour Office at Civil Station Kozhikode.

Dear Thomas,

The government has revised the minimum wages for workers of shops and commercial establishments in Kerala with effect from April 1.

Minimum wages were introduced for workers of courier services, DTP Centres, Internet cafes, telephone booths, catering services, and houseboat services. The minimum wage will be Rs. 4,104 for A grade workers and Rs. 3,954 for B grade workers, as per the notification issued by the government. The wages will be Rs. 3,877, Rs. 3,800, and Rs. 3,727 respectively for C, D, and E grade.

In addition, the workers will be eligible for dearness allowance and service weightage. Those working in Municipality and Corporation areas will get a special pay of Rs. 100.

Anyway, please find the attachment below provided by the Labour and Rehabilitation Department, Kerala. Hope this will help you.........

Thank you, sir, for your valuable information. My workplace is at Guruvayoor, and the nearest Labour Office is at Chavakkad. However, the problem I am facing now is the unavailability of certain forms in the open market. In that case, I have to depend on the Labour Officer. Can you please inform me where these forms are available or where I can find updated information regarding labor laws?

Sir, I would also like clarification on whether an employee who is under notice period is entitled to any leave other than Casual Leave (CL) and normal offs. Specifically, can he avail of his pending off?

Regards,
Sharath Subrahmanian

Thank you, sir, for your valuable information. My workplace is at Guruvayoor, and the nearest Labour Office is at Chavakkad. However, the issue I am currently facing is the unavailability of certain forms in the open market. In that case, I have to rely on the Labour officer. Could you please inform me where these forms are available or provide updated information on labour laws?

Sir, I would also appreciate clarification on whether an employee who is under notice period is entitled to take any leave other than Casual Leave and normal offs. Specifically, can they avail of their pending off?

Regards,
Sharath P. S

Dear Bipin Sir,

Thank you for the valuable and detailed information and for helping us properly understand the minimum wages for workers of shops and commercial establishments in Kerala. The attachment you have provided is very informative for newcomers like me. Thanks for replying on this thread.

Hi Rajesh,

I am an industrialist (manufacturers of transformer accessories) in Kochi. I am looking for the latest Gazette notification applicable for our employees as the wages revision meeting is scheduled tomorrow. I heard that the latest one came out in April 2009. Could you please provide the link or information on where I can find that online?

I have tried meeting the concerned people in the collectorate here but to no avail!

Awaiting your solution for the above.

Thanks & Regards,
Chikku Babu

Dear Babu,

Please find the attachment that will help you in this regard.

Dear Chikku Babu,

I was out of the station for the past few days, so I couldn't reply on time. In my opinion, I think your establishment belongs to a factory where a manufacturing process (of transformer equipment) is ongoing. Therefore, the Gazette notification for Shops and Establishments - G.O. (MS) 100/2009/LBR dated 23.7.2009, w.e.f 1.4.2009, may not be applicable to your establishment.

From what you have described, the process in your establishment may be related to minor engineering, and the revised minimum wage rates are yet to be notified. Hence, the old rates still apply.

For the latest minimum wage rates, you can contact me via my mobile on office days. Alternatively, please reach out to Mr. Muhammed Ziyad or Smt. Sarala, Assistant Labour Officers of Ernakulam. Their offices are located in Civil Station, Kakkanad.

T.R. Rajeesh
Assistant Labour Officer

Does DA have to be calculated separately, or can it be a part of the salary? Could you please provide information on the slabs that are applicable in a trading/retail unit for sales personnel? What happens if the remaining portion of the salary, aside from Basic and DA, is also fixed and not based on reimbursable items? Who is included in grade C and D?

Smitha

Yes, DA must be calculated separately as it changes upon the change in Consumer Price Index (D.A point). Wages consist of two portions - Basic Wages (constant until the next revision) and fluctuating D.A.

Salesman/Saleswomen - Rs. 3954 Basic + Rs. 797 (DA in Thrissur)
Group C includes Packer, Cleaner, Washerman - Rs. 3877 + Rs. 797 (D.A)
Group D includes Peon, Watchman, Attender - Rs. 3800 + Rs. 797 (D.A)

The only condition is that the total minimum wages (basic + DA) must be paid to employees. Any addition exceeding Minimum Wages is not a concern, and the employer is free to give anything in addition to MW.

T.R. Rajeesh
Assistant Labour Officer

Dear Sir,

With reference to the below information, kindly update on the basic salaries for the hotel industry for the year 2010. Otherwise, kindly direct me to any website or link where this information is updated on a regular basis.

Thanking you,
Anup

Hi Rajesh,

I have sent you the email. In case you are not able to attach the 10MB file, please send me the latest minimum wages for the shops and establishments. I am in desperate need of it.

Goodbye, take care.

Regards,
Krish

Hello,

We are a furniture manufacturing and exporting unit located in Cochin. Could you please provide me with updates on the minimum wages for:

1. Carpenters
2. Helpers
3. Machine operators
4. Polish workers
5. Lady helpers in the finishing section

Regards,
Einstein

Incidentally, minimum wages are not fixed for the furniture industry. However, the Minimum Wage (MW) committee has been appointed to determine the rates. Therefore, it will soon be enforced.

Minimum Wages for Security Agencies

Regarding security agencies, they fall under the Shops & Establishments Act, but they have separately notified minimum wages.

Regards,
Rajeesh

Can you provide the minimum wages under the Factories Act, Kerala, and the details of the records to be maintained? Are all the records (attendance, muster roll) kept electronically? We are a fabricating unit having the following categories of employees:

1. Steel Fabricator
2. Electrician
3. Welder
4. Painter
5. Supervisor
6. Accountant
7. Manager
8. Driver
9. Helper
10. Draughtsman

Also, please clarify if we register under the Factories Act, do we need to register the same under the Shops & Establishments Act as well? This is because we have our office in one place and the industry at a different location.

Regards,
Sudhanandan

I would like to know the minimum wages and other allowances to be given to a Battery Technician in the Company Service Centre.

Regards,
Ajith Menon

Your category of worker belongs to scheduled employment in the automobile servicing and minor engineering industry. You should download the minimum wages for your category from the http://www.kerala.gov.in.

Regards,
Rajeesh

Can anyone please tell me what the minimum wage applicable to finance companies is, as I can't find this sector in the list?

In Kerala, minimum wages have not been specifically fixed for financial companies. However, since financial companies come under the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, the minimum wages have to be given as per the minimum wages applicable to the shops and commercial establishments.

I understand that minimum wages are prescribed for star hotel workers as mentioned in the attachment. Is there any minimum wage prescribed for normal hotels/restaurants?

Regards,

Minimum Wages for Hotel Workers

I understand that minimum wages are prescribed for star hotel workers as mentioned in the attachment. Are any minimum wages prescribed for normal hotels/restaurants?

Thank you.

Regards,

Minimum Wages in the Software Sector

Please share the minimum wages for the following designations in the Software sector:

- Supervisor
- Housekeeping Boy / Maid
- Electric Supervisor
- Electric Technician
- HVAC Technician
- Store Incharge
- Plumber
- Painter
- Gardener
- Pest Man
- Security Guard
- Senior Supervisor (Security Guard)

Regards

Can I have the minimum wage for security staff deployed in various sites and godowns in Kerala?

Dear Sir,

I own a textile shop where many of the employees are part-time, and they are students at the nearby college. How do I calculate the minimum wages for them as they come in the afternoon and work around five hours? Additionally, I have a janitor who comes in the morning and works for two hours.

Thanks in advance.

Dear T.R. Rajeesh,

We are in the aviation industry and are launching a project in Cochin. The main job profile involves loading and unloading. Could you please provide information on the minimum wages for workers in this category?

Regards,
Anurag

Dear Sir/Madam,

Requesting you to share the latest minimum wages notification pertaining to the Private Security sector in Kerala. There was a preliminary notification released last year with number 28448/E1/2013/LBR dated 21.01.2016. What is the current status of this notification? Which one is applicable now, the old or the new?

Kindly advise...

Hello All,

Is it mandatory to pay Dearness Allowance (DA) in private limited companies? Our pay structure contains the following components:

- BASIC: 60% of the gross salary
- HRA: 30% OF BASIC
- CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE
- SPECIAL ALLOWANCE

Please help with your comments. If DA is mandatory, also please help with the calculation under the KSCE Act, Kerala.

Thanks in advance,
Shalini

Dear Sir, Our establishment is in Kozhikode. As per the Kerala Minimum Wages Act, please confirm if the following is correct.

Example Calculation:

Basic: 5655
Variable DA: 4115 (CPI - 323, above 130 @ 21.32 per point -- 323-130=193 * 21.32 = 4114.76 --> 4115)
Service Weightage: 735 (5655 * 0.13 = 735 --> 13 years of service - 1% per year)
Corporation allowance: 200
Total: 10705.00
Less: ESI Employee contribution @ 1.75% of 10705.00 = 187.00
Net Payable: 10518.00
(Note: Since the employee strength is less than 20, No PF to our firm)

Questions:

a. What is the yearly increment to be given for the next year? Is there any minimum amount or percentage for a yearly increment?
b. Is it compulsory to merge the DA with Basic after 1 year or so?
c. Are there any more deductions or additions to the above workings?
d. Bonus: If full attendance: 10705 per annum - full 1-month salary or 9770 (only Basic + DA) - which is applicable?
e. Professional Tax as per Corporation Norms - we will deduct and remit on a half-yearly basis.

Please confirm.