Notification on minimum wages challenged in HC

Notification on minimum wages challenged in HC
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 31
Though the State Government has issued the notification proposing hike in minimum wages of private sector, the decision is not likely to come into force, immediately. This is because two writ petitions have been filed before Bombay High Court at Goa challenging the draft notification issued by the State Government proposing to revise the minimum wages payable to workmen in private industries in the State, to Rs 150 per day.
M/s Rich Audio System operating from Verna Industrial Estate and Prakash Colour Carton Industries, based in Corlim Industrial Estate through two separate petitions have prayed for quashing the notification issued by the State Government under Section 5 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
The notification issued on December 12, 2009 proposes to revise the minimum rate of wages payable to workmen in commercial or industrial establishments engaged in commercial, manufacturing and service activities from the present Rs 103 per day to Rs 150 per day.
The petitioners have challenged revision of wages claiming that the government has not followed the mandatory procedure. “The State Government did not go as per the recommendations of the sub-committee on minimum wages for revising the minimum wages in Goa and instead hiked the minimum wages above 45 per cent while disregarding the norms for fixation as per the Minimum Wages Act, they have pointed out,” state the petitions.
They also claimed that revision sought would be arbitrary, unreasonable, against public interest and violative of Article 14 and 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution of India.
And thus have sought directions restraining the government from proceeding any further in pursuance of the notification pending the hearing of these petitions.
The Goa State Industries Association and Goa Chamber of Commerce had filed their objections with the government to reconsider the hike.
The petitions will be heard on April 5.