Many of you may have parents, friends and relatives who employ domestic workers in Orissa. Please convey them regarding the following rules on minimum wage so that they do not run afoul of the law.

Following is from a report in Business Standard.

The Orissa government has raised the minimum wages for the domestic helps. The minimum wage of such workers has been fixed at the same level as for the unskilled workers. So a domestic help will be entitled to get a basic wage of Rs 2340 per month.

Besides, they will be entitled to a special allowance (variable dearness allowance) from the date of fixation of minimum wages at the rate of Rs 20 per day for a block period of 2 years. It will be applicable for the domestic workers engaged in cleaning of vessels, washing of clothes, sweeping and swabbing floor, care of old and infirm persons, kitchen shopping, taking children to school among others. For implementation of this decision, employment of domestic workers has been made a part of the schedule of the minimum wages act, 1948.

They will have a six days week and an off day and will be paid 7 days wages for the 6 working days. If they work on any weekly off day, they will be paid double the daily wage. On the otherhand, the owners who employ domestic helps will pay 20 percent less if they provide 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).The owners can’t deduct any amount from their wages for providing accommodation, water and electricity.

The labour and employment department of the Orissa government has come out with the required notification, sources said.