PANAJI
Labour and Employment Minister Atanasio Monserrate on Monday said a committee would be formed to finalise minimum wages in the State.
The minister hoped that the new minimum wages would be finalised within two months.
Monserratte has already indicated his desire to increase minimum wages, claiming that minimum wages in the State are much less in comparison with states like Kerala and Delhi.
“We are not even at par with the central government wages,” he said.
He mentioned that many workers do not get benefits for 17 government welfare schemes as they have not registered with the government.
He said all workers in the State would be registered and provided cards so that they can avail of welfare schemes.
Monserrate said the Goa Electronics Limited will maintain a registry in coordination with the labour department and issue cards to the workers.
There has been no revision of minimum wages for the last six years in the State.
The industrial body has, however, objected to the minister’s move to increase minimum wages, arguing that it would badly affect businesses which have already been suffering due to Covid pandemic.
