Rs40,000 minimum wage law: Punjab takes big step for worker rights
Lahore reported that the Punjab Assembly passed an amendment bill to protect workers and regulate minimum wages. Lawmakers approved changes to the Social Security Ordinance 1965 with majority support. The aim is to update old laws and fix salary-related issues in the system.
The new legislation, named the Punjab Employees Social Security Amendment Act 2026, introduces modern legal reforms. Officials said the old law still reflects outdated salary limits that no longer match current wage standards.
According to the bill, the minimum wage in Punjab has reached Rs40,000. However, the old law still mentions a maximum wage limit of Rs22,000, which is creating legal and administrative confusion.
The text of the bill states that keeping outdated wage limits is causing problems in official procedures. It also notes that social security contributions made since July 2022 need proper legal validation.
Lawmakers said these inconsistencies were affecting department operations and causing delays. The amendment aims to remove confusion and bring the system in line with present-day wages.
The bill was passed with a majority vote in the assembly session. However, final approval will now be given by the Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan.
This move is being seen as an important step toward updating labour laws in the province. It may help improve transparency and reduce issues faced by both workers and departments.
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The government is trying to align old laws with today’s salary system. This can reduce confusion in payments and social security records.
If implemented properly, workers may get clearer legal protection. It also shows a push toward updating outdated labour rules in Punjab.
Last year, the provincial government of Punjab has officially increased the minimum wage for workers to Rs 40,000 per month, according to a notification issued by the Labour and Human Resource Department on Tuesday.
The notification stated that adult and adolescent workers employed in all industrial and commercial establishments across the province will now be entitled to a minimum monthly wage of Rs 40,000 for 26 working days.
It further specified that workers will receive Rs 1,538.46 per day for an eight-hour shift, while the hourly wage has been fixed at Rs 192.31.
Employers may deduct certain allowances, subject to mutual agreement with the worker, including Rs 100 per meal for food, Rs 1,800 per month for transport, and Rs 2,000 per month for accommodation.
