Kohima, February 19 (MExN): The All Nagaland PWD (R&B and H) Work-charge Employees Association has won its fight in the Gauhati High Court for enhancement of wages for fixed-pay laborers of Nagaland PWD. The victory comes after five years of legal battle. The association said it had in 2006 filed a case in the Gauhati High Court against the payment of Rs.750 a month (Rs.25 a day). The Supreme Court had fixed the daily minimum wage at Rs.80 per day and that payment of less than the fixed minimum wage amounted to violation of Article 23 of the Constitution.
After prolonged litigation, the government finally revised the rate of fixed wages at Rs.2, 000 per month with effect from December 1, 2009. The association felt that despite being fixed-pay laborers, its members are state employees and not daily wage laborers. They are entitled to be paid at least the enforced minimum rate of daily wage of Rs.80 per day or Rs.2400 per month enforced all over the country. However, the court opined that since the government has issued a notification fixing Rs.2000 for the time being while awaiting final recommendation of the work-charge and casual employees’ commission, it would be proper to wait for the final outcome of the government to expedite the matter relating to the revision of rate of wages of the work-charge and casual employees.
This was in view of the notification within a period of six months. Liberty was granted to the association to approach the court if still aggrieved by the final rate of wages of work-charge employees to be revised by the government of Nagaland. The association has expressed gratitude to Zhekheli Zhimomi, Advocate, for her tireless efforts during the last five years pursuing the cause for the association.
