WHAT IS THE NEW WAGE CODE?

New wage code is a consolidation of 29 labour laws into four labour codes:

• The code on wage, 2019 consolidates four labour legislations
• The Industrial Relations, 2020 consolidates three labour legislations
• The code on security, 2020 consolidates nine labour laws
• The occupational safety, hazard and working conditions code, 2020 consolidates thirteen labour laws

As per the Code of Wages, 2019, Wage has to be made of at least 50% of the entire salary that the employee is getting currently.

This law is likely to get implemented from this October 2021 and this will bring in some prominent changes to the lives of those working in government companies. Earlier, the new Wage Code was anticipated be implemented from April 1, but due to non-receipt of draft rules from the state governments, it was postponed.

Once it is implemented, Indian companies and employees will see a few changes in such components of compensation as take-home salary, provident fund and gratuity, pay slips, etc.

Under those circumstances, the balance sheets of Indian  government and corporate sector might also affected. The Wage Code deals with both government jobs as well as private sector jobs.

The new rules will surely increase the cost borne by the companies by an average 10%, according to an HR expert, because higher payroll costs will inflate the wage bill for most employers.

There will also be a plethora of positives emerging from these new rules. One of them is that employers will find it effortless to be more in acquiescence and employees will have more social reliability.

IMPACT OF NEW WAGE CODE

The implementation would result in significant changes:

• Working hours and weekly offs

The New Wage Code will increase employee working hours from 9 to 12. There will be only 48 hours a week of work, if someone works 8 hours a day, he will have to work 6 days a week and get a day off. If someone works 12 hours a day, he will get a three-day leave. This might result to be a boon or a bane. It may affect the work life balance of the employees at the same time help women to make use of a three- day leave pattern to manage their personal life.

• Increase in year holidays

Employees earned leave could increase from 240 to 300. Therefore the employers should plan accordingly so that it does not affect the quality/productivity of work.

• Minimum wages for workers

For the first time, all types of workers in the country will get minimum wages i.e. minimum salary. The minimum wage should provide enough income to afford a living wage. That is the amount needed to provide enough food, clothing, and shelter

• PF, gratuity to increase

There will be a consequent rise in gratuity and PF contribution of the employee. Hence, while the take home pay of the employees may be reduced, the Gratuity and PF component may rise.

• Change in salary structure

As per the new definition, wage has to comprise at least 50% of total salary that the employee is getting. This may result in a change in the basic pay.

Wallet HR is your trusted partner in adaptive payroll solutions. Our cutting-edge system is designed to seamlessly integrate and adapt to the ever-changing wage code legislations, ensuring your organization stays compliant and efficient. With the capability to handle significant changes such as adjusted working hours, modified weekly offs, increased annual holidays, and compliance with revised minimum wages, Wallet HR stands at the forefront of HR technology. 

Our robust platform effortlessly incorporates changes in PF and gratuity regulations, guaranteeing accurate and compliant calculations. Moreover, Wallet HR facilitates a smooth transition through modifications in salary structures, providing flexibility and accuracy in payroll processing. As one of the top 10 payroll software in India, we prioritize user-friendly interfaces and unparalleled adaptability to meet the dynamic needs of your business.