Minimum wage of workers increased by Rs 2,250

Kathmandu, July 22: The minimum wage of workers has been increased by Rs 2,250.

A meeting held between the government, employers and trade unions on July 16 had agreed to fix the minimum wage to Rs 19,550 for two years and recommended it to the government for the same.

It was recommended to the government on July 17 and published in the Nepal Gazette, the government's official notice, on July 21. As per the Article 107 of the Labour Act, 2074, there is a provision of revising the minimum wages of workers in every two years. 

This is the first time that the minimum wage of labourers was determined based on tripartite agreement. After the agreement, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, shared that it was positive to determine the minimum wages of workers on consensus as it was necessary that all sides should seriously and responsibly involve in its effective implementation.

Similarly, Coordinator of the Minimum Wages Determination Committee and Joint-Secretary at the Labour Ministry, Pradeep Koirala, opined that consensus was forged after consultation, coordination and intensive discussion for long.  

Likewise, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Dhakal, shared that consensus was necessary on the matter of minimum wages to maintain a long-lasting labour relation and it was acceptable for all through flexibility from all sides. 

Earlier, the minimum wage was Rs 17,300. (RSS)