Employers can deduct Rs 100 per meal, Rs 1,800 per month for transportation and Rs 2,000 for accommodation.
RAWALPINDI:
The Punjab government has fixed the minimum monthly wage for private sector employees at Rs 40,000 across the province, including Rawalpindi division, and tasked the Labor Department to ensure its implementation.
According to a notification issued by the Department of Labor and Human Resources, the minimum wage has been increased from Rs37,000 to Rs40,000 with effect from September.
However, the notice also allows employers to make specific deductions for food, lodging, and transportation provided to workers.
Employers can now deduct Rs 100 per meal, Rs 1,800 per month for transportation and Rs 2,000 for accommodation.
This means that an employee availing all three facilities will effectively get Rs 33,000 instead of Rs 40,000.
Labor officials have launched an awareness and monitoring campaign across Rawalpindi division.
Banners were put up urging businesses to comply with the minimum wage of Rs40,000. Failure to comply could result in fines, legal action and imprisonment.
Workers told The Express PK Press Club that while the wage increase initially offered hope, the additional deductions negated the relief.
“Instead of getting Rs 40,000, we will end up earning even less than before,” said an employee.
