Karachi: The Sindh government has announced an increase in the minimum wage to Rs. 37,000 per month for unskilled adult and adolescent workers in all industrial and commercial establishments across the province, effective from July 1, 2024.

According to Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, the new wage rate, governed by the Sindh Minimum Wages Act of 2015, is part of a broader effort to standardize earnings and improve living conditions for unskilled workers throughout Sindh. This policy stipulates that the minimum wage will be uniformly applied to all unskilled workers regardless of the registration status of their employment or the nature of the industry.

The policy also ensures that female workers will receive the same minimum wages as their male counterparts for comparable work. Additionally, it outlines the conditions for daily and weekly working hours, overtime, and work during holidays, aligning with existing labor laws such as the Sindh Factories Act, 2015, and the Payment of Wages Act, 2015.

The adjustment in the minimum wage is part of the provincial government’s commitment to enhancing the economic welfare of workers and ensuring compliance with national labor standards. Other categories of workers, including those in skilled and semi-skilled positions, will not receive less than this new baseline wage.