The Code on Wages, Bill 2019 (“the Code“) seeks to regulate the payment of wages and bonuses in all establishments where industry, trade, business, manufacture or occupation is carried on including government establishments. Clause 69 of the Code proposes to repeal the following laws: (i) the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, (ii) the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, (iii) the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, and (iv) the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and further seeks to consolidate the provisions of the aforesaid legislation under the Code. The Code was passed by the Rajya Sabha on the 2nd of August 2019 and has to now receive the assent of the President for the Code to become law. This article seeks to provide a brief summary of some of the important provisions of the Code.
The Code of Wages Bill, 2019- A Bird’s Eye View by Mini Raman