Work and Wages
Minimum Wage
Minimum Wage is the wage level (set by Government, either after consultation with the social partners i.e. worker organizations and employer associations or unilaterally) below which it is illegal for the employer to pay his/her employees.
Minimum Wage in Pakistan is set by the following two acts:
- The Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961 (applicable in ICT and Balochistan)
- Pakistan Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers Ordinance, 1969 (no longer in use after the 18th Amendment)
- The Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961 (adapted in Punjab by 2012 Amendment Act)
- The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minimum Wages Act, 2013
- Sindh Minimum Wages Act, 2015
Wages, as defined under the Minimum Wages Ordinance 1961, mean all remuneration, expressible in monetary terms, and payable to a person on fulfillment of the express or implied terms of employment contract but does not include contributions paid by the employer on behalf of the worker under any scheme of social insurance, pension fund or provident fund; travelling allowance or value of any travelling concession; amount paid to defray special expenses incurred by the worker in respect of his employment; any sum paid as annual bonus; or any gratuity paid on contract termination. Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961 applies to all industrial establishments’ employees (whether skilled, unskilled or apprentices and even domestic workers) but it excludes the employees of Federal or Provincial governments, coalmine employees or persons employed in agriculture.
Minimum wages for semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers are determined by the Minimum Wage Boards constituted under the Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961. The detailed Minimum Wage notifications for different industries based in the provinces are issued later by the provincial labour departments. One such detailed notification has been issued by the Punjab Labour & Human Resource Department. The said notification provides minimum wage rates for ministerial, highly skilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers in the 102 industries based in the province. Similar detailed notifications have yet to be issued by the other Provincial governments.
For the last couple of years, the trend has been to increase workers' minimum wages while announcing the federal and provincial budgets instead of announcing a wage increase for private sector on May Day. In his Federal Budget 2017-18 speech, the Federal Finance Minister announced the increase of minimum wage for private sector workers from PKR14,000 to PKR15,000 per month. The Provincial Budgets in all the Provinces except Sindh followed suit and increased minimum wage for unskilled workers in line with the increase announced by the Federal Government.
Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers used to be fixed under the Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers Ordinance 1969 however after devolution of Ministry of Labour to provinces, the wages are announced under section 6 of the Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961 (the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minimum Wages Act, 2013) which applies to all industrial establishments’ employees (whether skilled, unskilled or apprentices and even domestic workers) but it excludes the employees of Federal or Provincial governments, coalmine employees or persons employed in agriculture. The minimum wage rates for coal mine workers are determined under the Coal Mines (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Ordinance 1960 (in consultation with Mines Welfare Boards).
For newspaper employees, wages are determined under the Wage Board Award and wages are fixed by the Wage Board (constituted specifically for that purpose) while taking into consideration the cost of living, the prevalent wage rates in comparable employment, circumstances relevant to the newspaper industry in different regions of the country as well any other reasons that the Boards considers appropriate and relevant. 7th Wage Board Award, announced in 2001, could not be implemented. The 8th Wage Board was constituted in September 2013 however no award has been announced yet. The Wage Board, having equal representation of newspaper workers and employers, are constituted under Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) Act 1973.
There is yet another law that provides for minimum wage fixation for coal mine workers i.e. The Coal Mines (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Ordinance 1960. Provincial Governments issue minimum wage notifications for these coal miners and they may also consult Mines Welfare Board in wage fixation (but it is not necessary).
Minimum Wages are determined at the provincial level. Section 4 of Minimum Wage Ordinance, 1961 allows Minimum Wage Boards, for each province, to recommend minimum wage rates for adult unskilled workers and juvenile workers employed in industrial undertakings. Section 5 of MW Ordinance gives the power to each province's MW Board to fix MW rate even for workers in industries where there is no effective regulation of wages. The list of industries covered also varies from province to province. The Government can fix the wage rate for skilled workers because Section 2(9) defines worker as "skilled or unskilled, intellectual, technical, clerical, manual, or other work including domestic work for hire or reward". So, it has the authorisation to do that.
According to section 5 (3) of minimum wages Ordinance, 1961, minimum wages Board can fix minimum wages for time work, piece work, overtime work and work on weekly rest day and paid holidays. The time rates recommended by the Board may be on hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Nothing relating to number of hours is mentioned in the MW Ordinance, 1961. However, as per Factories Act, 1934 (Section 34 and 36), no adult worker shall be allowed or required to work in a factory for more than 48 hours a week or 9 hours a day. The minimum wage is set for 26 working days).
Section 3 of the MW Ordinance, 1961 requires the provincial governments to establish a minimum wages board that will recommend minimum wage rates. The Minimum Wages Board comprises of a Chairman, an independent member and one member as employer's representative and one as workers’ representative. All the members are appointed by the provincial government. Provincial government also have to appoint one member as representative of employers and workers each at the industry level for all the industries for which minimum wages have to be notified.
As per section 7 of the MW Ordinance, 1961, MW Board can review its minimum wage recommendations if there are any changes in economic conditions or the cost of living and further recommend it to Provincial Government. However, in norm, it is a political decision and in the recent past, provinces have tried to increase minimum wages just to outdo the other provinces or the federal government.
In accordance with section 2(g) of the Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers Ordinance 1969, wages have both the fixed and variable components. These include dearness allowance, house rent, conveyance allowance, cost of living allowance and special allowance. All of these are variable components. Above these variable allowances, MW includes also the fixed allowances.
As per the section 7 of minimum wages Ordinance, 1961, no recommendation regarding review of minimum wages will be considered before 1 year and after 3 years. Only under very special circumstances revision of before a year can be considered. However, it is important to note that this is only for a recommendation that Board sends on its own to the Government. Government can send the reference to the Board anytime for revision of wages.
According to section 7 of the minimum wages Ordinance, 1961 minimum wage rates are reviewed if there is any change in the economic conditions or cost of living or other relevant factors. Cost of living here can be interpreted as consumer prices because whenever there was a change in level of consumer prices, minimum wage rates were revised (raised). Economic conditions can be interpreted as decent living standards.
National Poverty line in Pakistan is PKR 3,030.32. Click here to know the national poverty line in context with Minimum Wage, living wages and actual wages. Select the currency (Euro or national currency) to know national poverty line. Poverty line was updated in 2016.
As per section 21 and 22 of West Pakistan minimum wage Rules, 1962 government may appoint labour inspectors to regulate and inspect the compliance of minimum wages by making as many visits to industries. Governmental Body/Authority - As per section 9-A of MW Ordinance, 1961 the provincial government may appoint any person as the Authority for the area to hear and decide on all the claims (complaints) regarding non-payments or delay in the payment of wages. Provincial Industrial Relations laws require every industry to have a collective bargaining agent who deals with matters relating to employment, work conditions or enforcement of any right. According to section 9(3) of minimum wages Ordinance, 1961, the following penalties are specified - either up to 6 months’ imprisonment or a fine or even both along with the payment of arrears made to the employee. According to the National & Provincial Industrial Relations Acts, Collective Bargaining Agent (registered trade unions) is responsible for dealing with matters relating to workers’ rights guaranteed by law.
As per section 9-A(2) of MW ordinance 1961, if no action has been taken by the employer (in case of delay of payment) within 6 months of the complaint, the worker can appeal to the Authority appointed by the provincial government. As per the section 23 of the West Pakistan Minimum Wage Rules 1962, a worker can send his complaint regarding noncompliance of minimum wages to the government through Inspectors or any authorized official. As provided under the National & Provincial Industrial Relations Acts, a worker can bring his complaint relating to any right guaranteed to him by law, to the Collective bargaining agent. Collective Bargaining Agent is a registered trade union and is elected representative of the workers in an enterprise. Similar provisions are found are Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2013 Act, Punjab 2012 Minimum Wages Act and Sindh Minimum Wage Act 2015, enacted in 2016.
Sources: §4-6 of the Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961; §4-6 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minimum Wages Act, 2013; §10-12 of the Newspaper Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1973; §3-5 of the Coal Mines (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Ordinance, 1960
Historical Background on Minimum Wages
Minimum Wage in Pakistan for Unskilled Workers in 2017-2018
The Federal Finance Minister (Mr. Ishaq Dar) while announcing the Federal Budget (2017-18) on 26 May 2017 has raised the minimum wage rate for unskilled workers from Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 15,000 per month with effect from July 2017 (applicable to Islamabad Capital Territory). Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Finance Minister in Punjab, announced to raise the minimum wage from current Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 15,000 while presenting the budget on 2 June 2017. The Sindh Chief Minister (Syed Murad Ali Shah) presented the budget on 5 June 2017 however no wage increase for the private sector was proposed. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister (Mr. Muzaffar Said) while announcing the KPK Budget (2017-18) on 7 June 2017 has raised the minimum wage rate for unskilled workers from Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 15,000 per month with effect from July 2017. The Adviser to the Chief Minister Balochistan for Finance announced the Balochistan budget 2017-18 on 15 June 2017. The minimum wage for unskilled private sector workers was raised from Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 15,000 with effect from July 2017. AJK Finance Minister, Dr Najeeb Naqi, presented Azad Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2017-18 on 15 June and proposed to raise the minimum wage to Rs. 15,000 per month.
Minimum Wage in Pakistan for Unskilled Workers in 2016-2017
The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif, announced on the May Day to raise the minimum wage rate for unskilled workers from Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 14,000 per month with effect from July 2016 (The same was reiterated by the Finance Minister - Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha- while presenting the budget on 13 June 2016). The Finance Minister (Mr. Ishaq Dar) while announcing the Federal Budget (2016-17) on 03 June 2016 has raised the minimum wage rate for unskilled workers from Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 14,000 per month with effect from July 2016 (applicable to Islamabad Capital Territory). The Sindh Finance Minister (Syed Murad Ali Shah) while announcing the Sindh Budget (2016-17) on 11 June 2016 has raised the minimum wage rate for unskilled workers from Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 14,000 per month with effect from July 2016. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister (Mr. Muzaffar Said) while announcing the KPK Budget (2016-17) on 14 June 2016 has raised the minimum wage rate for unskilled workers from Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 14,000 per month with effect from July 2016. TThe Balochistan Chief Minister (Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri) while announcing the Budget (2016-17) on 19 June 2016 has raised the minimum wage rate for unskilled workers from Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 14,000 per month with effect from July 2016.
Minimum Wage in Pakistan for Unskilled Workers in 2015-2016
In June 2015, the Federal Government has raised the minimum wage from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 13,000 per month for unskilled workers. This decision was also repeated in the budgets presented by the Provincial Governments of Punjab, Sindh & Balchistan. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has also notified its minimum wage as Rs. 12,000. The minimum wage rate for unskilled & juvenile (14 years to 17 years) workers is Rs.13,000 per month in the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory. These minimum wage rates are applicable from 01 July 2015. The daily minimum wage for an 8 hour work day is Rs. 500 (and Rs.13,000 for 26 working days). Minimum wage for unskilled & juvenile workers (14 years to 18 years) is notified as Rs.12,000 per month in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with effect from 01 July 2014. The daily minimum wage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is Rs.461.54 (and Rs.12,000 for 26 working days).The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government had fixed a higher minimum wage in 2014 (Rs. 15,000 per month) however it was fixed unilaterally by the Government without forming and consulting the Minimum Wage Board. This notification was suspended in March 2015 by the Peshawar High Court. The new notification, declaring Rs. 12,000 as minimum wage for unskilled workers has been issued in September 2015 and is effective from back date. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa again issued a minimum wage notification in January 2016 declaring the minimum wage as Rs. 13,000 with effect from July 2015.
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Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers in Pakistan (over the last 15 years) |
|
|
Year |
Wage per month (PKR) |
|
Single National Minimum Wage for unskilled workers |
|
| 01 July 1993 | 1,500 |
| 01 October 1996 | 1,750 |
| 01 May 1998 | 2,050 |
|
01 October 2001 |
2,500 |
|
01 January 2005 |
3,000 |
|
01 July 2006 |
4,000 |
|
01 July 2007 |
4,600 |
|
01 July 2008 |
6,000 |
|
Provincial Minimum Wage for unskilled workers (after Devolution of the subject of Labour in 2010) |
|
|
01 July 2010 |
Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT: 7,000 (Punjab: 8,000) |
|
01 July 2012 |
Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT: 8,000 (Punjab:9,000) |
|
01 July 2013 |
Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT: 10,000 |
|
01 July 2014 |
Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT: 12,000 |
|
01 July 2015 |
Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and ICT: 13,000 The Minimum Wage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was earlier declared as PKR 12,000 however it was raised to 13,000 in January 2016 with effect from July 2015. |
|
01 July 2016 |
Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and ICT: PKR 14,000 (with effect from 01 July 2016) |
|
01 July 2017 |
Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, ICT and AJK: PKR 15,000 (with effect from 01 July 2017) Sindh did not announce minimum wage increase under the Budget. However, later it also increased the minimum wage to 15,000 rupees. |
|
01 July 2018 |
Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, ICT and AJK: PKR 16,200 (with effect from 01 July 2018) |
|
01 July 2019 |
Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, ICT and AJK: PKR 17,500 (with effect from 01 July 2019) |
|
01 July 2020 |
No minimum wage increase due to covid |
|
01 July 2021 |
Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT and AJK: PKR 20,000 (with effect from 01 July 2021) Sindh had raised its minimum wage to PKR 25,000 per month. However, after a Supreme Court decision, the current applicable minimum wage in Sindh is PKR 19,000. |
|
01 July 2022 |
Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT and AJK: PKR 25,000 |
|
01 July 2023 |
Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT and AJK: PKR 32,000 Sindh: PKR 25,000 |
For updated minimum wage rates, please refer to the section on minimum wage.
Do you want to register non-payment of minimum wage by your employer? If yes, please anonymously submit the violation information through the Whistlers. Here is the link
Regular Pay
Wages can be paid on daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. However, a wage period can't exceed one month. The detailed instructions on payment of wages are found in Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Payment of Wages Act, 2013. A factory, railway or industrial or commercial establishment employing less than 1,000 workers is liable to disburse pay to its employees before the expiry of seventh day from the last day of wage period. However, the establishment employing more than 1000 workers can delay the disbursement of pay up till the 10th day from the last day of wage period. The law also requires that wages are to be paid on a working day and in current coin or currency notes only. This also means that wage payments by organizations through cheque are not permitted under the law. In order to ensure that workers are paid their wages as specified under the law or employment contract or memorandum of settlement (referred to generally as collective bargaining agreement), necessary amendment in Payment of Wages Acts is needed. It must however be specified that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Payment of Wages Act requires payment of wages in current currency through scheduled banks the manner of which is yet to be prescribed under the Rules. Employer is required to display, in a conspicuous place at or near the main entrance of the factory, a notice, in English and in the language of majority of the persons employed therein, showing for at least two months in advance, the day on which wages are to be paid.
Sources: §3-6 of the Payment of Wages Act 1936; §3-6 of the Payment of Wages Act 1936, adapted by Punjab in 2014; §3-6 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Payment of Wages Act, 2013; Rule 8 of the Payment of Wages Rules 1960
Deductions & Fines
According to the Payment of Wages Act, following deductions can be made from a worker's wages.
- Fines;
- Deductions for absence from duty; Law considers it a breach of contract when ten or more persons, through concerted action, absent themselves from office without due notice and reasonable cause. The law entitles the employer to make deductions up to eight days of wages when employees take such an action. However, the law exempts women and workers (under the age of 15 years) from such wage deduction for contract breaches.
- Deductions for damages to or loss of goods expressly entrusted to the employed person for custody, or for loss of money for which he is required to account, where such damage or loss is directly attributable to his neglect or default;
- Deductions for house accommodation supplied by the employer
- Deductions for such amenities and services supplied by the employer as the Provincial Government may by general or special order authorize;
- Deductions for recovery of advances or for adjustment of overpayment of wages;
- Deductions of income tax payable by the employed person;
- Deductions required to be made by order of a Court or other authority competent to make such order;
- Deductions for subscriptions to, and for repayment of advances from, any approved Provident Fund;
- Deductions for payment to co-operative societies approved by the Provincial Government or to a scheme of insurance maintained by the Pakistan Post Office;
- Deductions made with the written authorization of the employed person, in furtherance of any war saving scheme approved by the Provincial Government.
Under the minimum wage notification issued by the Government of Punjab, the deductions for providing housing accommodation (Rs.162 per month) and transport facility (Rs.33 per month) are allowed subject to the agreement between the worker and employer. However, in other Provinces especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, no variable or incentive allowance (non-statutory) or value of welfare facilities including house rent allowance or free house and conveyance can be adjusted against the minimum wage rates.
Fines can be imposed on employees in respect of certain acts and omissions but these are to be specified and previously approved by the Government. A notice of such acts has to be exhibited in the premises at some conspicuous place (like near factory entrance). Fines can be imposed for only those acts contained in the notice and a contravention of this provision is deemed to be an unauthorized deduction which is a liable offence. The total amount of fine in a single wage period (which can be maximum 30 days) can’t exceed 3% of the wages payable to the worker. The fine imposed has to be recovered in lump sum and has to be recovered within sixty days of the commission of an act or omission. Fines cannot be imposed on workers under the age of 15 years.
Sources: §7-13 of the Payment of Wages Act 1936; §3-6 of the Payment of Wages Act 1936, adapted by Punjab in 2014; §7-13 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Payment of Wages Act, 2013; Rule 10-16 of the Payment of Wages Rules 1962; Minimum Wage Notifications 2015
Penalties for Violation
In the event of non-payment of minimum wage or at a rate lower than the rate announced by the Government, the following penalties are provided under the relevant laws.
|
Acts |
Applicability (Area) |
Penalties |
|
|
|
|
Fines (monetary) |
Imprisonment |
|
Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961 (section 9) |
Islamabad Capital Territory, Sindh, Balochistan |
Up to Rs.500 or |
Up to 6 months or both |
|
Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961 (adapted in 2012)
(section 9) |
Punjab |
Up to Rs.20,000 or
Up to Rs.50,000 or (on subsequent contravention) |
Up to 6 months or both
Up to 6 months or both
|
|
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minimum Wages Act, 2013 (section 9) |
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
Up to Rs.20,000 but not less than Rs.5,000 or
|
Up to 6 months or both
|
Other than above fines, employer is also required to pay the difference in wages actually paid to the worker and the wages which should have been paid had there no such contravention.
Penalties are also provided under the Payment of Wages Acts for different offences by the employer as follows:
|
Acts |
Applicability (Area) |
Offences |
Penalties |
|
|
|
|
|
Fines (monetary) |
Imprisonment |
|
Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (section 20)
|
Islamabad Capital Territory, Sindh, Balochistan |
|
Up to Rs.500 |
|
|
Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (adapted in 2014) (section 20) |
Punjab |
Up to Rs.10,000 |
|
|
|
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Payment of Wages Act, 2013
(section 20)
|
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
Up to Rs.10,000 or
Up to Rs.20,000 or (on subsequent contravention) |
Up to one month or both
Up to two months or both
|
|
|
Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (section 20)
|
Islamabad Capital Territory, Sindh, Balochistan |
|
Up to Rs.200 |
|
|
Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (adapted in 2014) (section 20) |
Punjab |
Up to Rs.5,000
|
|
|
|
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Payment of Wages Act, 2013 (section 20)
|
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
Up to Rs.10,000 or
Up to Rs.20,000 or (on subsequent contravention) |
Up to one month or both
Up to two months or both |
|
Publication of Wages & Maintenance of Registers
Government has to ensure that minimum wage rates fixed under the law are publicized widely to all workers and employers. Government may also require thee employers, to display the minimum wage rates in prominent places in a factory, workshop or other workplace, notices in Urdu, English or any other language specified in the order.
Employers, under the West Pakistan Minimum Wage Rules 1962, are required to maintain a Wage Register, issue wage slips in authorized format and a Muster Roll as prescribed under the law. A worker, within 6 months of non-payment of minimum wage on rates specified, may submit a claim to the concerned authority for payment of arrears.
The West Pakistan Payment of Wages Rules 1962 also requires to maintain certain registers including register of fines, register of deductions for damages or loss, register of wages, and register of advances in prescribed formats. Employers are also required to submit an Annual Return to the Chief Inspector of Factories before 12th of February each year with details of fines imposed
or any deductions made from wages for breach of contract or for damage or loss.
Compliance Under the Minimum Wage Law
|
Requirement |
Relevant Legislation |
Form |
|
Maintenance of Wages Register |
Rule 19(1) of the Minimum Wage Rules 1962 |
|
|
Format of Wage Slips |
Rule 19(2) of the Minimum Wage Rules 1962 |
|
|
Maintenance of Muster Roll |
Rule 19(5) of the Minimum Wage Rules 1962 |
Compliance Under the Payment of Wages Laws
|
Requirement |
Relevant Legislation |
Form |
|
Display of the abstract of Payment of Wages Act and rules in English and Urdu (or a local language understood widely by workers) |
Section 25 of the Payment of Wages Act 1936
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Payment of Wages Act, 2013
|
|
|
Register of Fines |
Rule 3 of the Payment of Wages Rules 1960 |
|
|
Register of Deductions for Damage or Loss |
Rule 4 of the Payment of Wages Rules 1960 |
|
|
Register of wages |
Rule 5 of the Payment of Wages Rules 1960 Rule 19(1) of the Minimum Wage Rules 1962 |
|
|
Register of Advances |
Rule 17 of the Payment of Wages Rules 1960 |
|
|
Annual Returns |
Rule 18 of the Payment of Wages Rules 1960 |
