Wages of guards to be brought under national minimum wage: Gangwar

NEW DELHI: Labour minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar said on Friday that the government will ensure fair wage for all 50 lakh private security workers by bringing it under the purview of National Minimum Floor Wage.

Speaking at 'Private Security Industry Conclave (PSIC) 2019 – Creating Jobs, Securing New India', organised by FICCI, Gangwar said the private security industry plays a major role in creating jobs in the country and the guards who put in a lot of hard work deserve a decent and timely wage to sustain themselves.

"Since 2014, the government is working to reclassify all old labour laws in four labour codes, of which the parliament passed Code on Wages on August 2. The passage of this code entitles minimum and timely wage to all 50 crore workers," he said.

On disparity between minimum wages in different states ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 13,000 per month, the minister said, "We have made a provision of National Minimum Floor Wage in the Wage Code which will decide the

minimum wage for all the states."

Gangwar further said that the Labour Ministry had classified security guards as skilled workers in 2017 and would appeal all the states to follow suit. He said the 'Occupational Safety Health and Working Condition Code' has been introduced in the parliament.

"Labour inspector would work more as a facilitator. He would work under a transparent procedure and file inspection report within 48 hours on the website," he added.

Sandip Somany, President, FICCI said that the private security industry is amongst the top five employment generating sector and that, too, it employs workers from rural and poor background.

The government and industry could focus on cost of doing business, regulatory reforms, labour reforms and sector specific special packages.

Rituraj Sinha, Chair, FICCI Committee on Private Security Industry said the industry is a bridge between unemployed youth and the organised sector.