Dear Kavita,
Understanding Minimum Wages and Deductions
As per Section 2(h) of the Minimum Wages Act, the definition of wages is as follows:
2. Wages - Wages mean all remuneration payable to an employed person on the fulfillment of his contract of employment, express or implied, but it does not include:
- (a) The value of house accommodation, supply of light, water, medical attendance, or any other amenity or service excluded by general or special order of the appropriate Government.
- (b) The employer’s contribution to a Pension or Provident Fund or under any scheme of social insurance.
- (c) Any traveling allowance or the value of any traveling concession or any sum paid to the employed person to defray special expenses entailed on him by the nature of his employment.
- (d) Any gratuity payable on discharge.
Your attention is invited to subsection (a), where it has been clearly mentioned that the value of house accommodation, if provided by the employer, shall not be included or, in simpler words, shall not be counted in the minimum wages. It is clear about house accommodation, and as far as my information goes, the value of any food or concession in its value shall also not be covered in the Act. It is simple, as who shall decide what amount shall be for the food provided? If you provide a minimum as you think and anybody does not want it, you cannot force them to have it. So, in my opinion, the food value also cannot be included in minimum wages.
If you check with the nearest labor office, you might get the general or special order of the appropriate Government in this regard. You might land up in legal trouble if the Labor Officer of your area finds out that you are including these components to make the minimum wages. In my opinion, you should change your wage pattern immediately.
Hope the answer is clear. Feel free to revert in case of further doubt.
Regards,