Code on Wages, 2019

 Simplifying Payroll

Your Guide to the Code on Wages, 2019—Know Your Rights!

Understand your right to fair pay, timely salary, and equal treatment !
समान वेतन, समय पर वेतन और बोनस—जानिए अपने वेतन से जुड़े सारे अधिकार आसान भाषा में!

Key Focus Areas:

Minimum Wages (न्यूनतम वेतन)

Equal pay for equal work (समान काम के लिए समान वेतन)

Timely payment of wages (समय पर वेतन)

Bonus (बोनस)

ENGLISH EXPLANATION:

This law combines four older laws into one:

1. Minimum Wages Act, 1948

2. Payment of Wages Act, 1936

3. Payment of Bonus Act, 1965

4. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

Now, all wage-related rules are under one code.

✅ What this law says:

1. Minimum Wages must be paid to all employees.

  👉  Even if you're a watchman, cleaner, or receptionist, the company must pay you at least the government-decided minimum wage.

2. Wages must be paid on time (weekly/monthly as agreed).

  👉  If your salary cycle is monthly, the company must pay you by the 7th of the next month (as per the Payment of Wages Act, but the Code on Wages allows for flexibility; the exact date may vary as per the employment contract or state rules. The 7th of the next month is a common rule, but always check the latest notification or contract.)

3. Equal pay for equal work – no gender discrimination.

 👉   A man and a woman doing the same job must receive the same salary.

4. Bonus must be paid if the company earns profit.

 👉   If the company is profitable and you earn below ₹21,000/month, you must get a bonus (minimum 8.33% or as per the applicable rules).

 📙 HINDI EXPLANATION 

यह कानून 4 पुराने कानूनों को जोड़ता है। अब सभी वेतन (salary) से जुड़े नियम एक ही जगह हैं।

✅ इस कानून के मुख्य नियम:

1. हर कर्मचारी को न्यूनतम वेतन (Minimum Wage) मिलना चाहिए।

   👉 चाहे वो सफाईकर्मी हो या डाटा एंट्री क्लर्क, सरकार द्वारा तय न्यूनतम वेतन से कम नहीं दे सकते।

2. वेतन समय पर देना जरूरी है।

   👉 अगर आपकी सैलरी महीने की है, तो कंपनी को हर महीने की 7 तारीख तक वेतन देना होगा (राज्य और कंपनी के नियमों पर भी निर्भर करता है, लेकिन ज्यादातर 7 तारीख तक देना होता है)।

3. समान काम के लिए समान वेतन।

   👉 कोई भी महिला या पुरुष एक जैसा काम कर रहे हैं, तो दोनों को एक ही वेतन देना होगा।

4. बोनस मिलना जरूरी है अगर कंपनी मुनाफा कमाती है।

  👉 अगर आपकी सैलरी ₹21,000 से कम है और कंपनी को फायदा हो रहा है, तो आपको सालाना बोनस मिलना चाहिए।

🧑‍🏫 EXAMPLE (उदाहरण):

Ravi and Rani both work as data entry operators in a company.

Ravi earns ₹15,000/month

Rani also earns ₹15,000/month

The company is making profits.

✔ Under this code:

Both should get equal pay (✔)

Both should be paid by the 7th of the next month (✔ – check contract/state rules for exact date)

Both should receive an annual bonus (✔)

Key Clarifications

Payment Date: The "by the 7th of the next month" rule is from the Payment of Wages Act, but the Code on Wages allows for flexibility. Always check your employment contract or state notification for the exact date.

Bonus Eligibility: The bonus threshold may change as per government notification, but ₹21,000/month is a common limit.

Implementation: The Code on Wages has not yet been fully implemented in all states (as of 2025), so some old rules may still apply. Always refer to the latest government notifications.