The Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh has officially notified revised minimum wages for workers under the Minimum Wages Act, effective from April 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025. This semi-annual revision is based on changes in the Cost of Living Index for industrial workers.
📊 Revised Minimum Wages (Effective 01.04.2025 to 30.09.2025)
💼 General Employment (Monthly & Daily Wages)
| S.No. | Category of Employee | Monthly (Old) | Daily (Old) | Monthly (New) | Daily (New) |
| 1 | Unskilled | ₹ 14,142 | ₹ 544 | ₹ 14,394 | ₹ 554 |
| 2 | Semi-Skilled-II | ₹ 14,292 | ₹ 550 | ₹ 14,544 | ₹ 559 |
| 3 | Semi-Skilled-I | ₹ 14,392 | ₹ 554 | ₹ 14,644 | ₹ 563 |
| 4 | Skilled-II | ₹ 14,592 | ₹ 561 | ₹ 14,844 | ₹ 571 |
| 5 | Skilled-I | ₹ 14,817 | ₹ 570 | ₹ 15,069 | ₹ 580 |
| 6 | Highly Skilled | ₹ 15,217 | ₹ 585 | ₹ 15,469 | ₹ 595 |
| 7 | Class III Staff | ₹ 14,417 | ₹ 555 | ₹ 14,669 | ₹ 564 |
| 8 | Class II Staff | ₹ 14,567 | ₹ 560 | ₹ 14,819 | ₹ 570 |
| 9 | Class I Staff | ₹ 14,927 | ₹ 574 | ₹ 15,179 | ₹ 584 |
🏨 Hotel, Restaurant, Tea Stall & Halwai Workers
| S.No. | Category | Without Food & Lodging | With Food & Lodging | Food & Lodging Value |
| 1 | Unskilled | ₹ 14,394 | ₹ 12,595 | ₹ 1,799 |
| 2 | Semi-Skilled-II | ₹ 14,544 | ₹ 12,726 | ₹ 1,818 |
| 3 | Semi-Skilled-I | ₹ 14,644 | ₹ 12,813 | ₹ 1,831 |
| 4 | Skilled-II | ₹ 14,844 | ₹ 12,988 | ₹ 1,856 |
| 5 | Skilled-I | ₹ 15,069 | ₹ 13,235 | ₹ 1,834 |
| 6 | Highly Skilled | ₹ 15,469 | ₹ 13,535 | ₹ 1,934 |
| 7 | Class III Staff | ₹ 14,669 | ₹ 12,835 | ₹ 1,834 |
| 8 | Class II Staff | ₹ 14,819 | ₹ 12,967 | ₹ 1,852 |
| 9 | Class I Staff | ₹ 15,179 | ₹ 13,282 | ₹ 1,897 |
👷♂️ Who Falls Under Which Category?
The classification of employees is based on skills, education, experience, and nature of duties. Highlights include:
- Unskilled: Manual laborers like sweepers, loaders, cleaners, helpers, etc.
- Semi-Skilled-II: Workers with no formal qualifications but experienced in basic machine operations or trades (e.g., plumber, tailor, cook).
- Semi-Skilled-I: Intermediate-passed or ≥5 years of experience in Semi-Skilled-II category.
- Skilled-II: Certified technical professionals (e.g., electrician, machinist).
- Skilled-I: Diploma holders or graduates working in technical fields or supervisory roles.
- Highly Skilled: Engineering or professional graduates, foremen, executives without managerial power.
- Class III Staff: Clerks, typists, data entry operators, assistants, receptionists, etc.
- Class II Staff: Graduates working in roles like accountants, supervisors, salespersons.
- Class I Staff: Assistant managers, engineers, doctors, etc., without authority to hire/fire.
📝 Key Notes:
- The Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is adjusted in the ratio of 7:1 (cash vs. in-kind for food/tea).
- Employers providing accommodation can deduct up to ₹50/month from wages.
- These rates apply only to workers not exercising managerial functions.
- The notification uses cost of living index values with dual base years (2016=100 and 2001=100), converted via linking factors (2.79 and 5.26 respectively).
🗣️ Conclusion:
This half-yearly update underlines the Chandigarh Administration’s commitment to keeping wages aligned with inflation and living costs. Employers must implement these revised wage rates from April 1, 2025, to ensure compliance and fair remuneration for their workforce.