The Government of Meghalaya has notified revised minimum wages for workers across 29 scheduled employments, with effect from April 1, 2025, through Notification No. LE&SD.9/2023/Pt/14 issued by the Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development.
The new rates apply to sectors ranging from agriculture and construction to hospitality, mining, and domestic work. This revision supersedes the earlier wage notification issued in January 2025.
💰 Revised Minimum Wages (w.e.f. April 1, 2025):
| Category | Basic Wage | VDA | Total |
| Unskilled | ₹ 525 | ₹ 16 | ₹ 541 |
| Semi-skilled | ₹ 565 | ₹ 18 | ₹ 583 |
| Skilled | ₹ 605 | ₹ 19 | ₹ 624 |
| Highly-skilled | ₹ 645 | ₹ 20 | ₹ 665 |
Note: VDA (Variable Dearness Allowance) has been rounded up to the next higher rupee.
🧾 Applicable Sectors (Sample List):
- Agriculture, Sericulture & Weaving
- Public Health Engineering, Construction, PWD
- Motor Workshops, Plywood Industry
- Shops & Establishments, Hotels & Restaurants
- Domestic Work, Safai Karamcharis
- Registered Factories & Casual Government Employment
- Security Services, Tailoring, Printing Press, and more
A total of 29 sectors are covered.
📌 Key Provisions:
- Working Hours: 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week
- Overtime: Paid at double the ordinary rate
- Wage Includes: Weekly day of rest
- Revisions: VDA will be updated every 6 months based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- Concessions: Wages are exclusive of other employee benefits (e.g. housing, food, uniforms)
- Eligibility Definitions:
- Unskilled: Simple tasks, no experience needed
- Semi-skilled: Some experience or supervision capability
- Skilled: Technical or vocational training or substantial experience
- Highly-skilled: Expert-level, complex task performance
✅ What This Means for Workers and Employers
The move reflects Meghalaya’s efforts to ensure fair compensation amid rising living costs. Employers must ensure compliance from April 1, 2025, and adjust wage structures accordingly. Periodic VDA updates will further align wages with inflation, offering stability to workers.