Ladakh announces landmark wage reform for daily wagers, seasonal workers

The Union Territory of Ladakh has announced a landmark wage reform for thousands of daily wagers, part-time and seasonal workers, with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approving long-pending wage rationalisation aimed at ensuring fair compensation under the Minimum Wages Act.

Under the new wage rationalisation framework, these workers will be categorised as “skilled” and “unskilled” workers. As per the revised wage matrix, skilled workers will be paid Rs 575 per day, while unskilled workers will receive Rs 450 per day. The revised wages will be determined on a pro-rata basis, depending on duty hours and the nature of work.

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Thousands of wage earners, who had been working for as little as Rs 300 to Rs 500 per month for several years, are expected to benefit from the move. Many of these workers had continued in service for more than 10 to 15 years despite such low pay. LG Saxena has directed that wages be paid in accordance with the Government of India’s Minimum Wages Act.

The decision is expected to result in a manifold increase in wages, bringing major relief to workers employed as sweepers, gardeners, cleaners and in other similar roles across the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The beneficiaries include a large number of migrant workers as well as locals, who had been compelled to work for abysmally low wages due to the long-standing wage anomaly.

The move follows several representations made to the Lieutenant Governor by daily wagers engaged across various departments of the Administration, seeking implementation of minimum wages.

Taking prompt cognisance of the issue, the Lieutenant Governor directed the concerned departments to undertake a comprehensive verification of workers engaged after 17 March 2015 and ensure wage rationalisation in a fair, transparent and uniform manner.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that different departments of the UT Administration had engaged part-time, seasonal and daily-rated workers over the years at varying remuneration levels, leading to significant wage disparities.

“The UT Administration is fully committed to ensuring fair and dignified wages for all workers. Daily wagers, seasonal and part-time workers play a crucial role in strengthening public services and developmental activities across Ladakh, particularly in remote and challenging regions. Every worker deserves fair compensation for their labour, and the Administration will do everything necessary for their welfare in a transparent and accountable manner,” Saxena said.