Minimum Wages Act — Landmark Judgments
Landmark Judgments
Express Newspapers (P) Ltd. v. Union of India
1958This landmark case established the constitutional validity of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, against challenges that it violated fundamental rights, particularly Article 19(1)(g)…
People's Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India (PUDR case)
1982This case significantly expanded the interpretation of 'forced labour' under Article 23 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court held that if a person is compelled to work for wages…
Sanjit Roy v. State of Rajasthan
1983Following the PUDR case, the Supreme Court reiterated that paying wages below the minimum prescribed rate, even in famine relief work, constitutes forced labour under Article 23.…
Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India
1984While primarily focused on bonded labour, this case further strengthened the judicial commitment to minimum wages. The Supreme Court directed the government to ensure that minimum…
Workmen of Oriental Paper Mills v. Union of India
1969This case dealt with the procedure for fixation and revision of minimum wages. The Supreme Court clarified that while the government has the power to fix and revise wages, this…
Bhuvaneswaran v. State of Tamil Nadu
2015This Madras High Court judgment emphasised the need for timely revision of minimum wages. It observed that minimum wages should be revised every five years as mandated by the Act,…
State of Rajasthan v. B.C. Katiyar
1993The Supreme Court in this case reiterated that the Minimum Wages Act is a beneficial legislation and its provisions should be interpreted liberally in favour of the workers. It…
Bhavani v. State of Kerala
2019This Kerala High Court judgment underscored the importance of including all components of wages, including special allowances, when calculating minimum wages. It held that…