‘Implementation of minimum wages very poor in State’

They have not been revised for 11 years: Central panel chief

Central Minimum Wages Board Chairman A. Govardhan addressing the media on Wednesday.

The implementation of minimum wages in Andhra Pradesh is very poor, observed Central Minimum Wages Board Chairman A. Govardhan here on Wednesday.

He told reporters, along with board member and Visakha North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, MLC P.V.N. Madhav and BJP city president M. Nagendra, that minimum wages had not been revised in several categories in the State for the past 11 years.

Mr. Govardhan said not only Andhra Pradesh, in several States the implementation was dismal and declared that the implementation was very impressive in Haryana. He said the State Minimum Wages Advisory Board had become defunct after resignation of Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad as member after his election as MLC. Before bifurcation also, A.P. had no full-fledged board, he pointed out.

On implementation of minimum wages in the central public sector units and departments, he said after NDA formed the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minimum wages for unskilled workers in the Central government organisations and undertakings had been raised from ₹5,000-₹7,000 to ₹13,000 per month, medical benefit extended under ESI Act to the entire family, continuation of the same provident fund account in the event of change in employer and increase on income for payment of bonus from ₹10,000 to ₹21,000.

Brandix issue

On change in legislation, he said suitable changes had been brought about to provide better social security to the unorganised sector.

Stating that the management of Brandix India Apparel City, Atchutapuram, had informed to the State government that they were waiting for its orders to implement wage revision, he blamed the authorities for not intimating its recommendation on time.

Staking claim for ad hoc increase of ₹1,300 per month for 18,000 workers engaged by Brandix, he said because efforts by the BJP the workers were now getting the ad hoc benefit. He wanted the director of Visakhapatnam International Airport to extend some social security measures for 40 trolley boys who were depending on payments by the passengers whenever they engaged them for taking their luggage inside.