Minimum wages in Punjab, 2026.

From 1 May 2026, unskilled work anywhere in Punjab pays at least ₹13,486 a month, or ₹518.69 a day. One rate covers the whole state.

Updated 17 October 2026. How we check

Pay rates in Punjab

Workers

Workers: minimum wages in Punjab from 1 May 2026, in rupees
SkillPer monthPer day
Unskilled₹13,486₹518.69
Semi-skilled₹14,383₹553.19
Skilled₹15,414₹592.84
Highly skilled₹16,601₹638.50

In force from 1 May 2026. Notification No. Labour-Lab0MIWA/1/2021-4L (260032)/166.

Office and staff

Office and staff: minimum wages in Punjab from 1 May 2026, in rupees
SkillPer monthPer day
Staff A: postgraduate or professional₹19,431₹747.34
Staff B: graduate or supervisor₹17,510₹673.46
Staff C: above matric (clerk, storekeeper, timekeeper)₹15,786₹607.15
Staff D: Class IV (peon, attendant)₹14,406₹554.07

In force from 1 May 2026. Notification No. Labour-Lab0MIWA/1/2021-4L (260032)/166.

What employers owe in Punjab

  1. 7thof the next monthWages, in full
  2. 15thof the next monthEPF (with the ECR) and ESIC
  3. Month endof the next monthDevelopment tax, deducted the month before
  4. Half-yearlybefore 15 Oct and 15 AprLabour Welfare Fund, for factories and other units with more than 20 persons
  5. Upfrontbefore work startsContract labour licence, for contractors with 50+ workers. Punjab's rules are still in draft; ask the Labour Department how to apply.
Who pays what for EPF, ESIC and the Labour Welfare Fund in Punjab
Who pays whatWorkerEmployer
EPF20+ employees; wages up to ₹25,000 a month12%12% + 0.5% EDLI + 0.5% admin
ESIC10+ employees; wages up to ₹21,000 a month0.75%3.25%
Development taxIncome above the income-tax threshold₹200 a monthDeducts and pays it
Labour Welfare FundFactories, bus services and other units with more than 20 persons₹5 a month₹20 a month
Pending rise
Punjab's Assembly passed a bill on 11 July 2025 to raise these to ₹10 and ₹40. We have not found it notified, so these are the 2014 amounts; confirm with the Punjab Labour Welfare Board before you pay.

Late EPF and ESIC carry 12% a year interest and damages. If your contractor does not pay them, you must, and recover it from them.

Behind on any of this? The Vayasya Network of CAs, labour lawyers and compliance consultants can help. Get compliance help

Questions

Is there a separate rate for office staff?

Yes. Alongside the four skill levels, the notification sets four staff categories, from ₹14,406 a month for Class IV staff such as peons and attendants, including those supplied through a contractor, to ₹19,431 for postgraduates and professionals.

Can the rate be split into allowances?

No. The notification fixes these as basic rates and does not allow them to be split into allowances.

Sources (14)

Wage rates

  1. Basic minimum rates of wages in all employments in Punjab with effect from 1 May 2026Labour-Lab0MIWA/1/2021-4L (260032)/166, 1 May 2026.
  2. Adjusted minimum rates of wages, 1 July 1995 to 1 September 2025 (compilation of the half-yearly adjustments)ST/CPI/MW series, Research and Statistical Section, 1 September 2025.

EPF, ESIC, welfare fund and licence

  1. The Code on Wages, 2019 (section 17: time limit for payment of wages)Act No. 29 of 2019, 8 August 2019.
  2. The Code on Social Security, 2020 (First Schedule: EPF and ESIC coverage)Act No. 36 of 2020, 29 September 2020.
  3. EPF wage ceiling of ₹25,000 a month from 17 September 2026S.O. 5109(E), 17 September 2026.
  4. EPFO: frequently asked questions on the wage ceiling (contribution rates, EDLI and admin charges)EPFO FAQs, 28 September 2026.
  5. Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026 (rule 19: ESIC contribution rates)G.S.R. 344(E), 8 May 2026.
  6. ESIC: rates of contribution and due dateesic.gov.in, 16 October 2026.
  7. Interest at 12% a year on amounts due under the Code on Social SecurityS.O. 2698(E), 29 May 2026.
  8. Punjab State Development Tax Act, 2018 (₹200 a month; section 5: the employer deducts it)Punjab Act 11 of 2018, 19 April 2018.
  9. Punjab State Development Tax (Amendment) Rules, 2021 (rules 12 and 14: monthly deposit)G.S.R. 16/P.A.11/2018/S.23/Amd.(1)/2021, 26 February 2021.
  10. Punjab Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1965 (unamended text, as hosted by the Labour Department)Punjab Act 17 of 1965, 1 July 1965.
  11. Punjab Labour Welfare Fund (Amendment) Act, 2014: ₹5 worker, ₹20 employer a month (PRS copy)Punjab Act 32 of 2014, 15 December 2014.
  12. Labour codes compliance handbook (OSH Code, sections 45 to 48: contract labour licence)Ministry of Labour handbook, 1 February 2026.

OFFICIAL SOURCE

Punjab Labour Department.

Notifications, registrations and forms, from the government itself.

Labour Department, Punjab

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