Time for wage revision in Nagaland

July 23, 2024 12 Views No Comment

Inflation outpaces wages: Nagaland State Human Rights Commission calls for Government action

DIMAPUR, JULY 23 (MExN): The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) has issued significant recommendations for the revision of minimum wages for employees and workers under the Nagaland State Government. This action stems from a suo-moto case numbered 14/2024, highlighting concerns over the prolonged stagnation of wage revisions in the state.

Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both Central and State governments are required to periodically fix, review, and revise the minimum wages of workers employed in scheduled employments within their jurisdictions.

The Government of Nagaland last revised the wages in 2019, setting the daily wages for unskilled workers at Rs 176, semi-skilled workers at Rs 210, and skilled workers at Rs 235. Despite a significant rise in inflation over the past five years, these wages have not been reviewed or revised since 2019. The NSHRC expressed concerns about how workers could manage their basic needs under such stagnant wages, stating, “If a state government does not pay its employees/workers at least to meet their basic needs, it would amount to exploitation and denial of right to live with dignity.”

The commission compared Nagaland’s situation with neighboring states, noting their proactive measures in addressing wage issues. For instance, Assam has revised wages with detailed structures, including Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), resulting in gross monthly wages for unskilled workers at Rs 9800.50 and highly skilled workers at Rs 18307.05. Mizoram set daily wages for unskilled workers at Rs 420 and for skilled-I workers at Rs 730. Meghalaya combined minimum wage and revised VDA, effective from October 2023, setting daily wages for unskilled workers at Rs 402 and highly skilled workers at Rs 563. Sikkim revised daily wages effective from September 2022, setting rates for unskilled workers at Rs 500 and highly skilled workers at Rs 565. Arunachal Pradesh implemented progressive wage revisions based on years of service, with current monthly wages for unskilled workers starting from Rs 12000.

The commission emphasized the necessity of protecting minimum wages against inflation, citing the Central Government’s provision of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) linked to the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. This practice has been adopted by 26 States and Union Territory Administrations, including Assam and Meghalaya. The commission noted, “This VDA is revised periodically twice a year to absorb the pressure of inflation on the minimum wages paid to the employees/workers.”

Highlighting the plight of the state’s lowest socio-economic strata, the commission pointed out that failure to revise wages constitutes a denial of the right to equality and life, as protected by the Constitution, and potentially amounts to forced labor.

“The employees/workers of the State Government who are paid with minimum wages belong to the lowest socio-economic strata of the society. They are people who have no choice but work as such just to manage their survival,” the commission stated.

The NSHRC made several key recommendations. It urged the Government of Nagaland to urgently review and revise the wages of its employees and workers listed in the schedule of employments within the next 2-3 months. The commission also called for the Chief Secretary to communicate the actions taken on these recommendations within one month. Emphasizing the state’s role as a welfare entity and a model employer, the commission asserted, “The welfare state which is also a model employer is expected to be the first to come to their rescue or help so that their basic needs or right to life are not denied.”

The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission’s proactive stance reflects a broader commitment to ensuring fair wages and protecting the rights of workers. As the state awaits a response from the government, the commission’s recommendations underscore the urgent need to address wage stagnation and align with the progressive measures observed in neighboring states.