Cabinet Approves Amendment to Enhance National Minimum Wages for Workers
The Cabinet has granted approval for amendments to the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act, aimed at raising both the national minimum monthly and daily salaries. Presently, the minimum national salary stands at Rs. 12,500/- as outlined in the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act No. 03 of 2016.
A specialized tertiary sub-committee, comprising representatives from trade unions and small and medium-sized enterprise employers, established under the guidance of the National Labour Consultancy Board, recommended an increase of the minimum monthly salary to Rs. 17,500/-. This recommendation comes after thorough deliberations and considerations of various factors impacting workers’ livelihoods.
Consequently, the Cabinet of Ministers has endorsed the proposal put forth by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment to raise the national minimum salary by Rs. 5,000/-, elevating it from Rs. 12,500/- to Rs. 17,500/-.
Moreover, approval has been granted to amend the Employees’ National Minimum Wages Act No. 3 of 2016, facilitating an increase in the national minimum daily wage by Rs. 200/-, from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 700/-. This significant adjustment reflects the government’s commitment to improving the standard of living for workers across the nation.”
