Labour law library
The provisions ShramSaathi uses, each with its source, version and effective date. Items marked Verification required must be checked against the official notification.
Eligibility and calculation of bonus
An employee drawing wages up to the notified amount who worked at least 30 days gets a minimum bonus of 8.33% of wages or ₹100, whichever is higher, up to 20%. Where wages exceed the notified calculation amount, bonus is calculated as if wages were that amount or the minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Time limit for payment of bonus
Bonus must be credited to the employee's bank account within eight months of the close of the accounting year.
Bonus eligibility ₹21,000 and calculation ceiling ₹7,000
Eligibility up to ₹21,000 per month; bonus calculated on ₹7,000 or the minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Deductions from wages
Only authorised deductions are allowed, and total deductions cannot exceed 50% of the wages.
Fines
Fines only for notified acts or omissions, after a chance to explain, and not more than 3% of wages for the period.
Equal remuneration — no gender discrimination
No discrimination on the ground of gender in wages or recruitment for the same or similar work.
Hours of work for minimum-wage employees
The appropriate Government may fix normal working hours, weekly rest and payment for the rest day.
Payment of minimum wages
No employer shall pay any employee less than the minimum rate of wages notified by the appropriate Government.
Fixation of minimum wages
The appropriate Government fixes minimum rates by skill, geographical area and other factors, subject to the floor wage.
Floor wage
The Central Government fixes a floor wage; State minimum wages cannot be lower.
Wages for overtime work
Work beyond the normal working day is paid at not less than twice the normal rate of wages.
Wage period
The employer fixes the wage period — daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly — never more than a month.
Time limit for payment of wages
Monthly wages must be paid before the expiry of the 7th day of the following month. On removal, dismissal, retrenchment or resignation, wages are paid within two working days.
Registers and wage slip — Central Rules 2026
Employee register (Form I), register of wages (Form IV), wage slip (Form V) and attendance-cum-muster roll (Form IX), kept electronically or physically.
Definition of wages — 50% rule
"Wages" means basic pay, dearness allowance and retaining allowance. Excluded payments (HRA, conveyance, overtime, etc.) above one-half of the total remuneration are added back to wages.