Sikkim: State Govt Hikes Minimum Wages by 67%

GANGTOK: The Sikkim government on Wednesday implemented revised minimum wages for skilled as well as unskilled workers by 67%, taking the state to the third spot in giving the highest minimum wage.

The daily wage for unskilled workers was increased from Rs 300 to Rs 500 with retrospective effect from July 11, 2022, as reported by Labour Minister, Lok Nath Sharma said.

Highly-skilled workers will now get Rs 565 per day instead of Rs 365, Sharma said.

The revision of the minimum rate of wages is based on four categories – unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled. As per the new revision, unskilled workers will now receive Rs. 500 a day, semi-skilled Rs. 520, skilled Rs.535 and highly skilled Rs. 565 per day.

These wages will be applicable for those working at altitudes up to 8,000 feet, while 50 per cent more wages will be given to those working at altitudes from 8,001 feet to 12,000 feet, said the minister of the NorthEastern Himalayan state.

Those working at altitudes of 12,001 feet to 16,000 feet will be paid 75 per cent more than the normal wage, he said.

Those working at places above 16,001 feet will get double the normal wage, Sharma said.

The new rates would be effective from July 11, 2022, and the labourers will be given arrears, he said.

Meanwhile, following the protest by Alkem Pharma workers and the arrest of three Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum (SPYF) members on Tuesday, Sikkim labour minister Lok Nath Sharma on Wednesday urged the pharma workers to join back work and begin their service peacefully as the implementation of revised minimum rate of wages notification has been issued.

The demand for the protest was to raise the minimum wages, which was promised by the ruling-SKM government in its 2019 manifesto.

Sharma said that Union Minister for State for Labour Rameswar Teli met Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang at Mintokgang on Tuesday evening and informed him that the Centre will set up a 100-bed hospital for ESIC beneficiaries.

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