Minimum Wages for Shops and Establishment in Punjab
The Department of Labour, Government of Punjab, notifies minimum rates of wages and Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) under the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958 and the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
Below is the official minimum wage schedule effective 1st May, 2026 (updated as on 6th May, 2026), incorporating daily, monthly, and hourly wage rates across technical, operative, and commercial office staff grades.
Use the Period Selector on the top right to switch between the latest 1st May, 2026 notification and historical wage revisions.
📊 Minimum Wages Table (1st May, 2026)
| Category | Classification | Daily Wages (₹) | Monthly Wages (₹) | Hourly Wages (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | Worker | 518.69 | 13486 | 64.83 |
| Semi Skilled | Worker | 553.19 | 14383 | 69.14 |
| Skilled | Worker | 592.84 | 15414 | 74.09 |
| Highly Skilled | Worker | 638.50 | 16601 | 79.81 |
| Staff Category - A | Staff | 747.34 | 19431 | 93.41 |
| Staff Category - B | Staff | 673.46 | 17510 | 84.18 |
| Staff Category - C | Staff | 607.15 | 15786 | 75.89 |
| Staff Category - D | Staff | 554.07 | 14406 | 69.25 |
📊 High-Level Wage Summary (Effective 1st May, 2026)
The table below provides a quick comparative summary of total statutory minimum wages per day, per month (26 working days), and hourly across all operative worker categories and clerical staff grades in Punjab:
1. Operative Worker Categories
| Category | Daily Wages (₹) | Monthly Wages (26 Days) (₹) | Hourly Wages (₹) | Indicative Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unskilled | ₹518.69 | ₹13,486.00 | ₹64.83 | Peon, Chowkidar, Helper, Sweeper, Cleaner, Loader |
| Semi-Skilled | ₹553.19 | ₹14,383.00 | ₹69.14 | Assistant Salesman, Packer, Junior Assembler |
| Skilled | ₹592.84 | ₹15,414.00 | ₹74.09 | Salesman, Machine Operator, Driver, Electrician |
| Highly Skilled | ₹638.50 | ₹16,601.00 | ₹79.81 | Head Craftsman, Technical Supervisor, Foreman |
2. Commercial Office Staff Categories
| Staff Category | Daily Wages (₹) | Monthly Wages (26 Days) (₹) | Hourly Wages (₹) | Indicative Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Category - A | ₹747.34 | ₹19,431.00 | ₹93.41 | Chief Accountant, Branch Manager, Head Auditor |
| Staff Category - B | ₹673.46 | ₹17,510.00 | ₹84.18 | Accountant, Senior Cashier, Stenographer |
| Staff Category - C | ₹607.15 | ₹15,786.00 | ₹75.89 | Clerk, Typist, Storekeeper, Data Entry Operator |
| Staff Category - D | ₹554.07 | ₹14,406.00 | ₹69.25 | Junior Clerk, Record Keeper, Despatcher |
💡 Key Statutory Compliance & Calculation Rules
- Statewide Uniform Minimum Wages: Statutory minimum wages notified by the Punjab Labour Department apply uniformly across all districts (including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, and Mohali / SAS Nagar).
- Monthly and Hourly Wage Derivation Formula:
- Monthly Wage: Standard statutory 26-day basis:
Monthly Wage = Daily Wage × 26 - Hourly Wage: Based on statutory 8 working hours per shift:
Hourly Wage = Daily Wage ÷ 8
- Monthly Wage: Standard statutory 26-day basis:
- Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA): In Punjab, minimum wage rates are adjusted bi-annually (typically effective March/May and September) in direct proportion to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers for industrial workers.
- Overtime Compensation: Any employee engaged beyond 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week must be remunerated at double the ordinary hourly rate of wages (200%).
- Statutory Benefit Deductions (EPF & ESIC): Basic + VDA constitutes gross wages for statutory contributions under EPF (₹15,000 ceiling) and ESIC (₹21,000 ceiling).
- Equal Remuneration: Male and female employees must receive equal pay for identical work or work of a similar nature.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum wage for an office boy or cleaner in Ludhiana / Mohali?
An office boy, helper, or cleaner falls under the Unskilled category. Effective 1st May 2026, the statutory minimum wage is ₹518.69 per day or ₹13,486.00 per month.
What is the minimum wage for a clerk or data operator in Punjab?
Clerks, typists, and data entry operators fall under Staff Category - C:
- Daily Rate: ₹607.15 per day
- Monthly Rate (26 days): ₹15,786.00 per month
- Hourly Rate: ₹75.89 per hour
How often are minimum wages revised in Punjab?
The Government of Punjab revises the minimum wage rates and Cost of Living Allowance (VDA) twice a year, reflecting the CPI figures notified by the Labour Commissioner.