Karnataka government has announced a steep 60% hike in minimum wages across 81 scheduled employment sectors, a move expected to benefit more than one crore workers in both organised and unorganised industries across the state.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad said the revised wage structure fulfils a long-pending demand of labourers and is aimed at improving economic security for workers. According to media reports, Karnataka has also become one of the few states after Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to issue a consolidated minimum wage notification covering all scheduled employments under a unified framework.
Under the revised structure, the minimum monthly wage for unskilled workers in the Bengaluru metropolitan region has been fixed at around Rs. 23,376, while highly skilled workers could receive up to Rs. 31,114 per month. In other parts of Karnataka, wages are expected to range between Rs. 19,300 and Rs. 21,251 depending on skill category and geographic zone.
Reports indicate that the state has replaced the earlier fragmented classification system with a single consolidated notification applicable to all 81 scheduled sectors. The sectors include manufacturing, construction, transport, retail, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, security services, e-commerce, and commercial establishments.
According to experts, revision is expected to significantly increase payroll obligations for employers, especially in labour-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, retail, logistics, hospitality, and IT-enabled services. Experts also point out that the increase may lead to higher contributions towards provident fund (PF) and employee state insurance (ESI), since the revised wage structure raises the basic pay component.
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Several media outlets reported that the notification follows prolonged consultations and legal scrutiny regarding wage fixation in the state. Industry observers believe the move could improve worker retention and purchasing power, though some businesses may face higher operational costs in the short term.
The revised wage notification is being viewed as one of the most significant labour policy changes introduced by the Government of Karnataka in recent years. Labour unions have largely welcomed the announcement, calling it a long overdue correction to wage structures amid rising living costs and inflation.
