Maharashtra Orders Implementation Of Revised Minimum Wages For Beedi Workers, Arrears Recovery Begins

The Maharashtra government has ordered the immediate implementation of revised minimum wages for beedi workers, along with the commencement of arrears recovery and wage difference settlement, according to Labour Minister Akash Fundkar. This decision comes after months of negotiations between the government and stakeholders in the tobacco and beedi manufacturing industry, which falls under the purview of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

Following representation from workers' and employers' organizations, the Labour Department held several meetings to discuss the issue. The Law and Judiciary Department later clarified that the minimum wage rates notified on November 10, 2014, are still legally valid, and there is no injunction preventing their implementation. Consequently, the government has directed the Labour Commissioner to ensure the implementation of the revised wages, including dearness allowance, for the period from January 1 to June 30, 2026.

Under the revised rates, workers in Zone I, which includes municipal corporation areas, will receive a total daily wage of Rs 379, consisting of Rs 210 in basic wages and Rs 169 in dearness allowance. In Zone II, areas outside municipal corporation limits, workers will earn Rs 361 per day, comprising Rs 192 in basic wages and Rs 169 in dearness allowance, for rolling 1,000 beedis.

The government's move aims to provide relief to thousands of beedi workers across Maharashtra, and authorities have been instructed to initiate the arrears recovery process immediately.