Employers can deduct Rs 100 for food, 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 has 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 Rs 37,000 to Rs 40,000 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 for food, Rs 1,800 per month for transportation and Rs 2,000 for accommodation.
This means that an employee using all three facilities will effectively receive Rs 33,000 instead of Rs 40,000.
Labor officials have launched an awareness and enforcement campaign across Rawalpindi division.
Banners have been put up urging companies to comply with the minimum wage of Rs 40,000. Failure to comply could result in fines, prosecution and imprisonment.
Workers told The Express PAkGazette that while the pay hike initially offered hope, additional deductions negated the relief.
“Instead of earning Rs 40,000, we will end up earning even less than before,” said one employee.
