The government has cleared a proposal to make the minimum wages announced by the Centre for workers in unorganised sector statutory for all states so as
to bring parity in wages paid.

At present the national floor level minimum wage is 115 rupees per day but since it is not binding on state governments and employers, the Centre merely advises the states to raise
the wages so that they are on par with the national floor level.

The Union Cabinet, which met yesterday, cleared the proposal to bring in amendment to the Minimum Wages Act, 1948
for incorporating the statutory provision.

Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Chattishgarh are among the states where the minimum wages paid are less than national floor level minimum wages.

The Labour and Employment Ministry had taken the proposal to the Cabinet as early as in 2009, but because of differences it was referred to a committee of secretaries.