The Minimum Wages Act, 1948

The objective of the Act is to provide for fixing minimum rates of wages in certain employments. What the Act purports to achieve is to prevent exploitation of labour. What is being prescribed is minimum wage rates by which a welfare state assures that every employer pays to the employee under him wages at a rate not less than the minimum rate of wages fixed by the appropriate Government and currently in force

The Act provides for fixation of minimum rates of wages, in such employments. This department has framed Minimum Wages (Puducherry) Rules, 1964 and the same is being implemented in the Union Territory

In the Union Territory of Puducherry, minimum rate of wages are notified to various category of employees of a scheduled employment and the employer should pay the prescribed minimum wages to their employees under this Act

Inspectors
The Deputy Labour Commissioner, Labour Officers and the Assistant Inspectors of Labour have been declared as inspectors under this act

Claim Authority
The Commissioner of Labour and the Deputy Labour Commissioner has been declared as claim authority