For factory workers and labourers in Punjab, their wages are just a click away. Punjab Government, to ensure timely disbursement of wages along with total amount of their salaries, will soon start the system of transferring their wages to their bank accounts “directly”.
“The process would soon start in the State as the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has amended Payment of Wages Act to bring this system in practice,” said State labour Minister Chuni lal Bhagat. He said that it was a cumbersome procedure to ensure minimum wages besides total and timely disbursement to labourers since earlier the entire system was manual. “In view of complaints in this regard, Punjab has decided to make direct transactions by making requisite amendments in Payment of Wages Act,” he added.
Making a strong appeal to factory workers or labourers to open their bank accounts as early as possible, Bhagat also asked factory owners to extend every possible help to their workers so the system could be implemented soon. Reiterating commitment towards labourers’ welfare, Bhagat said that it was also matter of pride that Punjab has been enlisted in those states implementing minimum wages in true spirit. “SAD-BJP Government has revised minimum wages last year under which Rs 6,247.75 per month has been fixed for unskilled labourers and Rs 46,232.30 per annum for inexpert agri-labourers,” he said.
He added that a slew of welfare schemes for labour class had also introduced in the State including scholarships to the wards of labourers, Rs 21,000 as Shagun at the time of marriage of their daughters, Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia in a case death or complete disability while Rs 50,000 partial disability.