THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Legislative Assembly on Monday passed ‘The Payment of Wages (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2015,’ which makes it mandatory for the employers of industrial and other establishments to pay the wages of workers through cheque or bank account.
The Opposition pressed for voting due to its objection to certain clauses in the Bill which it termed as “unconstitutional” and “anti-worker”.
Speaking on the motion for consideration of the Bill, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John said that the Bill was modelled on the Wage Protection System which was in place in some Gulf countries. Along with the wages paid, 43 other key details of the employee would be available once the system became operational, he said.
The minister said that the wage slip would be prepared by the employer and a copy would be given to the bank. The District Labour Officer would also be provided with details such as the wage paid and contribution to Employees State Insurance and Provident Fund.
Shibu stated that the IT sector had opposed the government’s demand to provide details of the wages paid to employees through bank account. The minister added that the government would strictly implement the wage protection system in the IT sector also despite the opposition.
Universities’ Bill
The Assembly also passed ‘The Kerala Public Service Commission (Additional Functions As Respects The Universities) Bill, 2015’ entrusting the task of appointing non-teaching staff in universities with the Kerala Public Service Commission.
Speaking on the motion for consideration of the Bill, Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb said that with the passage of the Bill, there was no scope for concern that reservation norms would not be followed in the appointment to non-teaching posts.