Odisha announces hike in minimum wages of labourers

The skilled worker will get Rs 240 daily, up from Rs 190 earlier

The Odisha government on Friday announced an increase in the minimum wages of skilled, unskilled and semi-skilled workers, based on the recommendation of the state minimum wage advisory committee.

While the minimum wage for an unskilled labourer has been raised to Rs 200 from Rs 150 a day, semi-skilled workers would get Rs 220 each instead of Rs 170 a day, a government notification stated.

Skilled worker will get Rs 240 daily, up from Rs 190 earlier. The minimum remuneration of highly skilled workers has been raised to Rs 260 from Rs 205, it said.

"The workers are in fact pilots of development. The state government is committed for their welfare," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said while announcing the new minimum wages on the occasion of International Workers' Day. The notification has given 60 days for objections and suggestions on the announcement of minimum wages from trade unions, workers, stakeholders and from the general public.

The minimum wages were raised based on the recommendation of the State Minimum Wage Advisory Committee for raising the minimum wages of workers of different categories.