At a time when the country is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, in a major relief to different categories of workers engaged in various scheduled employments in the central sphere, the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India has notified and revised the rate of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) with effect from 1.10.2021.
The VDA is revised on the basis of the average Consumer Price Index for industrial workers (CPI-IW) a price index compiled by the Labour Bureau (an attached office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment). The average CPI-IW for the months of January to June 2021 was used for undertaking the latest Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) revision.
Shri Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Labour & Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, said that this will benefit around 1.5 crore workers engaged in various scheduled employment in the central sphere across the country i.e. (a) Construction, maintenance of Roads, Runways, Building operations, etc.; (b) Sweeping and cleaning; (c) Loading and unloading; (d) Watch and ward; (e) Mines & (f) Agriculture and said that this is in line with Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas” and this increase will be effective from 1st October 2021 and wished all the nation-builders greetings of Happy Deepavali.
Happy to inform that the @LabourMinistry has revised minimum wages (variable dearness allowance) applicable for scheduled employment in the central sphere. The hike, which will be effective from October 1, will benefit about 1.5 crore workers. pic.twitter.com/oOGFwYJ32u
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 29, 2021
The move will benefit around 1.50 crore workers engaged in various scheduled employments in the central sphere across the country. This
hike in Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) will support these workers, particularly in the current pandemic times.
Rates of wages for different categories of employees
| Schedule employment | Category of employees | Rate of wages including Variable Dearness Allowance Area wise per day (in Rupees) | ||
| A | B | C | ||
| Construction or maintenance of roads or runways or building operations etc. | Unskilled | 654 | 546 | 437 |
| Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor | 724 | 617 | 512 | |
| Skilled/Clerical | 795 | 724 | 617 | |
| Highly Skilled | 864 | 795 | 724 | |
| Sweeping and Cleaning |
— |
654 | 546 | 437 |
| Loading and Unloading workers |
— |
654 | 546 | 437 |
| Watch and Ward | Without Arms | 795 | 724 | 617 |
| With Arms | 864 | 795 | 724 | |
| Agriculture | Unskilled | 417 | 380 | 377 |
| Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor | 455 | 419 | 384 | |
| Skilled/Clerical | 495 | 455 | 418 | |
| Highly Skilled | 547 | 509 | 455 | |
For Mines employees
| Category | Above Ground | Below Ground |
| Unskilled | 437 | 546 |
| Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor | 546 | 654 |
| Skilled/Clerical | 654 | 762 |
| Highly Skilled | 762 | 851 |
The rates fixed for scheduled employments in the Central sphere are applicable to the establishments under the authority of the Central Government, Railway Administration, Mines, Oil fields, major ports, or any corporation established by the Central Government. These rates are equally applicable to contract and casual employees/workers.
Shri D.P.S.Negi, Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) said that the minimum wages (VDA) in respect of scheduled employment under the central sphere is revised twice in a year i.e. 1st April and 1st October on the basis of the Consumer Price Index for industrial workers released by Labour Bureau, an attached office of Ministry of Labour & Employment. Further, the period under consideration for this order is from January to June 2021 as per the Gazette Notification.
The enforcement of the Minimum Wages Act in the Central sphere is ensured through the Inspecting Officers of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) Organization across the country for employees/workers engaged in the scheduled employments in the central sphere.