Anonymous
Dear Sirs
Our salary structure including all components ensure that Minimum Wages as prescribed by the Government is being paid to the employees.
Recently we came across a scneario where this was disallowed by one of the visiting officers stating that our Basic plus DA (we do not have a DA component though) should be equal or greater than Minimum Wages irrespective of the Gross being paid. Please help me in getting a clarity on this and if what we are doing is right kindly provide some supportive definitions / rulings if any.

From India, New Delhi
saswatabanerjee
2395

The requirement in the minimum wages act is very clear
Read with the notifications published by the state governments giving the minimum wages list,mits is very clear that basic + da or basic +special allowance should be at least equal to the minimum wages.
The other allowances that you are giving are additional benefits that of are providing. It is not counted in minimum wages. Companies do these funny structures to try and save a little money on PF
There a re companies fighting in the court in this matter, as is also the PF department. Current Supreme Court decisions make it likely that they will decide the same way. It's then for you to take a risk of being on the losing side and paying penalty and interest or revising your salary structure to comply.

From India, Mumbai
boss2966
1168

In addition to SaswataBanerjee, I would like to add the following
The Minimum Wages components are (i) Basic Wages & (ii) DA or VDA. All the establishments must pay the Minimum Wages to all its employees. In the Minimum wages only statutory deductions are authorised (PF, ESI & TDS). Except the above nothing can be deducted.

From India, Kumbakonam
ashvan.2927@gmail.com
175

Hello All, I am enclosing herewith PF circular indicating not allowed bifurcation in Minimum Wage, it will help you out for your r3eference. Thanking you, Regards, Ashish
From India, Pune
Attached Files (Download Requires Membership)
File Type: jpg PF%20wages%20Bifurcation%20notification.jpg (415.7 KB, 256 views)

boss2966
1168

Dear Ashish
As a matter of fact the Cost of Living Points (CPI) of certain year will be considered as Base Year and the Points derived will be considered as Basic Wages and the escalation taking place in every six months/year it will be added as Variable DA / DA. The Both are to be added together and thus the Minimum Wages calculated.
The PF Department has told about the bifurcation for calculating the PF is not accepted and entire Minimum Wages must be considered for calculating the PF. To save some minimal amount some companies are adopting the bifurcation system like basic wages and DA and they are calculating the PF only on Basic Wages, which is a wrong practice.
This is what the circular intended to say and it does not argue about non existence of bifurcation of minimum wages.

From India, Kumbakonam
saswatabanerjee
2395

The ministry has temporarily stayed the applicability of the circular.
However political pressure can not suppress the matter for ever and at some time it will come back with a vengeance. The fact that it is supported by a high court decision giving detailed reasoning for now allowing PF on gross wages makes it more likely that the decision will ultimately prevail

From India, Mumbai
sumitk.saxena
252

Banejee & Bhasker are right go through the judgement of Airfreight Ltd. Vs State of karnataka the more clarity will come. Thanks & Regards, From, Sumit Kumar Saxena
From India, Ghaziabad
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