Despite Opposition From Industry, Kerala Government Increases Minimum Wages To Rs 600 A Day

The Left Democratic Front-led government in Kerala has raised the minimum wages in the state to Rs 600 per day to ‘poromote sustainable development’ in the state, the New Indian Express has reported.

The decision was taken despite opposition from industry associations representing sectors such as construction, real estate, private buses, bakers, hospitals and fruit stalls, which had said in November 2017 that their cost of operation would spiral out of control if the state government implemented the decision.

Responding to the concerns raised by the industry associations, Labour Minister T P Ramakrishnan had said that the industry can bear the cost easily.

The associations had also raised concerns about the penalty imposed for violating labour laws, which has been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 2 lakh-5 lakh.

“The Left Democratic Front-led government in Kerala has raised the minimum wages in the state to Rs 600 per day to ‘promote sustainable development’ in the state, the if all the employers guarantee that all labour laws will be adhered to,” the minister had said, responding to concerns on this issue.

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