The Telangana High Court has ordered the State government to issue revised GOs (Government Orders) within 6 weeks that will set minimum rates of wages for 68 different types of jobs. This will benefit a large number of workers across various sectors in the state. It is estimated that around 4.7 million people are employed in factories, construction, stone breaking, transportation, and other industries in Telangana.
The High Court made this decision while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Telangana Regional Trade Union Council. The PIL requested the court to direct the government to issue GOs for revised minimum wages. The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that although the government had issued two GOs in June 2021, they were not published in the Gazette, resulting in workers not receiving their financial benefits.
The government pleader assured the court that the previous GOs would be withdrawn and new ones would be issued to revise the minimum wages. The government requested a period of 6 weeks to complete this process.
Taking into consideration the arguments of both parties, the Chief Justice bench directed the State government to issue the revised minimum wages and publish them in the Gazette within 6 weeks, in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act. The court adjourned the matter for 6 weeks.
