Minimum Wages Act, 1948

The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 is an Indian labour law enacted to ensure that workers are paid fair and minimum wages for their work, preventing exploitation by employers. It empowers the Central and State Governments to fix, review, and revise minimum wages for different categories of employment and types of work.

The Act applies to both skilled and unskilled workers in scheduled industries or occupations. It also covers aspects like:

• Fixing working hours and overtime rates

• Ensuring timely payment of wages

• Penalties for non-compliance by employers

Overall, the Act safeguards the economic welfare and living standards of workers by guaranteeing a basic level of income necessary for subsistence.