CHANDIGARH: Factory workers and laborers in Punjab would soon have their wages directly transferred to their bank accounts, which would ensure not only timely disbursement of wages but also total amount of their salaries. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat, Labour Minister, Punjab said that this process would soon initiate in the state as the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has amended Payment of Wages Act to bring this system in practice.

He said that it was a cumbersome procedure to ensure minimum wages besides total and timely disbursement to laborers since earlier the entire system was manual.  He said in view of complaints in this regard, Punjab has decided to make direct transactions by making requisite amendments in Payment of Wages Act. Making a strong appeal to factory workers/ laborers to open their
bank accounts as early as possible, Mr. Bhagat also asked factory owners to extend every possible help to their workers so the system could be implemented soon. 

Reiterating commitment towards welfare of laborers, Mr. Bhagat said it was also matter of pride that Punjab has been enlisted in those states implementing minimum wages in true spirit.  He said SAD-BJP Government has revised minimum wages last year under which Rs. 6247.75 per month had been fixed for unskilled laborers and Rs. 46232.30 per annum for inexpert agri-labourers. He said that a slew of welfare schemes for labor class had also introduced in the state including scholarships to the wards of laborers, Rs. 21,000 as shagun at the time of marriage of daughters of laborers, Rs. 1 lakh ex-gratia in a case of any happening/death or complete disability while Rs. 50,000 partial disability.