Unskilled workers: Sindh govt for raising minimum wage to Rs43,000

KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has proposed raising the minimum monthly wages for unskilled workers to Rs43,000 while recommending an increase of up to 7.5 per cent in the minimum wages of semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers employed in 60 industries in the province.

The proposed wage revisions were issued by the Sindh Minimum Wages Board through separate notifications published in the official Sindh Government Gazette.

The Board has invited objections and suggestions from the public, employers, industrialists, employers’ organizations and labour representatives within 14 days, after which the proposals will be reviewed before the issuance of the final notification.

According to the notification, the proposed minimum wages for unskilled adult and juvenile workers employed in industrial and commercial establishments has been fixed at Rs43,000 per month, equivalent to Rs1,654 per day or Rs207 per hour.

The proposed rates will apply uniformly to both registered and unregistered industrial and commercial establishments in the province.

In a separate notification, the Board has proposed revised minimum monthly wages for workers employed in 60 industries. Under the proposal, the minimum monthly wage for a semi-skilled worker has been fixed at Rs44,484, for a skilled worker at Rs53,350, and for a highly skilled worker at Rs55,626, representing an increase of up to 7.5 percent over the existing wage structure.

The Sindh Minimum Wages Board said the proposed wages revisions were prepared after taking into account inflation, prevailing economic conditions, productivity trends and tripartite consultations involving representatives of the government, employers and workers.

The notification further states that employers will not be permitted to pay workers less than the prescribed minimum wages once they are notified.

It also makes it mandatory for employers to provide equal minimum wages to male and female workers performing work of an identical nature, in accordance with applicable labour laws.

The Board clarified that the proposed minimum wages for unskilled workers will cover permanent, temporary, contractual, daily-wage and piece-rate employees.

It also emphasized that workers already receiving wages higher than the proposed minimum will continue to receive their existing salaries, which cannot be reduced under the new wage framework.

Stakeholders have been directed to submit their objections or recommendations to the Sindh Minimum Wages Board in writing within 14 days of the publication of the notifications. Objections received after the stipulated deadline will not be considered.

Following the consultation process, the Sindh Government is expected to issue the final notification formally notifying the revised minimum wages throughout the province.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026