LAHORE: The Punjab government has issued a notification setting the minimum monthly wage of workers at Rs40,000, effective immediately. According to the notification, labourers working 26 days a month will be paid no less than the revised minimum, while those working shorter periods will be compensated proportionately.

The notification further states that workers will receive Rs1,538.46 for an eight-hour workday and Rs192.30 for each additional overtime hour. Employers have been directed to display the notification prominently at their workplaces.

Provincial Labour Minister Faisal Khokhar directed the Labour Welfare Department’s field formations to ensure strict implementation of the new wage law. He warned that a province-wide crackdown would be launched against violators, stressing that workers must be paid their rightful wages without delay.

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Officials said compliance teams will conduct surprise inspections in industrial zones, factories, and commercial establishments. The minister also directed that complaint cells be set up at district levels so workers can report violations directly.

Labour unions welcomed the move but urged the government to introduce a mechanism for automatic annual wage adjustments in line with inflation. Employers, however, voiced concerns over rising operational costs and appealed for relief measures such as tax breaks and utility subsidies.