Code on Wages Bill gets President’s assent

Kerala: Government revises minimum wages for cinema theatre employees

21 August 2019: Labour department of the Kerala government notified new minimum wages for cinema theatre workers in the state. The revised monthly wages are as follows:

Delhi: Government sets up mental health clinic for municipal workers

17 August 2019: Taking cognizance of increasing number of cases of depression, stress and stress-induced anxiety among civic workers, the Delhi government has set up mental health counselling and stress management clinics for municipal workers under the North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations. The clinics will serve around 3,500 workers.

Code on Wages Bill gets President’s assent

12 August 2019: Despite protests from workers and unions, parliament passed the Code on Wages Bill on 01 August 2019 which combines four existing laws: the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. The Bill received President’s assent on 12 August 2019. The bill had seen countrywide protests when it was introduced in the first sitting of 17^th Loksabha as it dilutes the powers of inspectors, provisions for inspections and various other protections for workers under law.

Goa: Government amends Factories and Boiler Act, allowing women to work night shift

01 August 2019: The Goa government has amended the Factories and Boilers Act allowing women to work in factories between 9pm and 6am. Companies employing women in night shifts will have to seek prior consent of women workers and provide them canteen facilities and transport to and from work.