**Bhubaneswar:** The State Labour & ESI department today issued a gazette notification regarding the hike in minimum wages of all labourers across Odisha.
The decision was taken in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and based on the recommendation of the State Minimum Wages Advisory Board and after considering the objections and suggestions received during two months stipulated period.
As per the notification, the wages of unskilled labourers have been hiked by 40 per cent viz Rs 200 to Rs 280 per day and wages of semi-skilled labourers have been hiked by 45 per cent viz Rs 220 to Rs 320 per day.
Likewise, wages of skilled labourers have been hiked by 54 per cent viz Rs 240 to Rs 370 per day and wages of highly skilled labourers have been hiked by 65 per cent viz Rs 260 to Rs 430 per day.
Besides, wages for piece rate work under fifteen employments have been enhanced for the labourers.
This revision has been made after three years and the rate of inflation, increase in the consumer price index, prevailing rates in market and prevailing minimum wages in neighbouring States have been taken into account by the State Minimum Wages Board as well as the Government.
“These revised minimum wage rates are comparable and at par with minimum wages prescribed in neigbouring States. This is expected to check distress migration in respect of such workers migrating in the hope of getting higher wages in other States,” read a communiqué from the Labour department
The release further read the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) will be revised every six months, in the interest of the labourers.
Further, the employees working in minor ports will now get benefit of the revised minimum wages, as ‘minor ports’ have been added to the list of scheduled employments.
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