Overview
The Code on Wages, 2019 consolidates and simplifies four central labour laws relating to wages — the Payment of Wages Act 1936, the Minimum Wages Act 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act 1965, and the Equal Remuneration Act 1976. It establishes a universal minimum wage floor applicable to all workers across all sectors and employment types.
Key Provisions
Universal minimum wage floor applicable to all employees regardless of sector (Section 6)
National Floor Level Minimum Wage set by Central Government (Section 9)
Timely payment of wages — daily, weekly, fortnightly, or monthly (Section 17)
Equal remuneration for men and women for same or similar work (Section 3)
Bonus entitlement for employees earning up to ₹21,000/month (Section 26)
Deductions from wages limited to prescribed categories (Section 18)
Inspector-cum-Facilitator system replacing multiple inspectors (Section 51)
Applicability
All employees in all establishments across India
Central and state government employees (for minimum wage provisions)
Contract workers, home-based workers, and gig workers
Amendment History
2021
Central Government notified the Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2021 for implementation.
2019
Original enactment