Government Introduces New Procedure for Public Procurement Worker Wages and Social Security
Summary
The government has introduced a new procedure setting higher wages and social security contributions for workers involved in public procurement, sparking concern from contractors and skepticism from trade unions over its implementation. The rules raise pay for unskilled, skilled, and professional workers and require monitoring, registration, and certification measures.
Key Points
- The government has published a new procedure setting wage and social security rates for workers involved in public procurement, with minimum monthly pay starting at Rs 32,607 including social security contribution.
- Contractors say the new rates are impractical because tender prices and district rates were already fixed, making the higher wage requirement difficult to absorb without revising government norms and budgets.
- Trade union leaders say they were not consulted before the policy was announced, even though it could improve wages and social security for workers.
- The procedure also requires worker registration in the Social Security Fund, identity cards, skill certification, and labor permits for foreign workers.
