For the first time in any industry, Coal India Limited (CIL) finally issued order on 18 February, 2013 for Payment of Minimum Wages and Implementation of Social Security Scheme for Contractors’ Workers as per agreement of 23 November, 2012.

Five central trade unions in coal, jointly and effectively, agitated the demands for contractors’ workers wages and social securities. After protracted negotiation, finally in a meeting of the unions with the minister of state for coal on 16 April 2010, it was agreed to constitute a high power committee with management’s and central trade unions’ representatives to examine and recommend the wages and social security measures for Contractors’ workers engaged in mining activities. A clause in wage agreement NCW-IX stated that the contractors’ workers’ wages and social security issues would be finalization separately. The recommendations of 23 August 2012 of the high power committee were finalized in the subsequent stadardization committee meeting and on that basis the implementation order was issued.

Basic Wage Structure of Contractors’ Workers

Categories of Employees Basic Rate (Per Day)

Unskilled Rs. 464.00
Semi- Skilled / Unskilled Supervisory Rs. 494.00
Skilled Rs. 525.00
HighlySkilled Rs. 554.00

The basic wages are effective retrospectively from 01.01.2013. In addition, variable dearness allowance (VDA) will be paid @, as notified by the central government in every April and October for non-coal mines workers, above 202.83 points, as was on 1.11.2012 (Base 2001).

Further, the contractors’ workers will get 10% of basic as underground allowance; PF as per CMPF Act; Bonus as per Bonus Act; Medical Facilities, both dispensary and OPD, like parmanent workers.(Courtesy: Working Class)