Wages must be paid by the 7th of the following month (for establishments with under 1,000 workers) or by the 10th (for 1,000+ workers). Any delay is a legal violation. The Act originally covered wages up to ₹24,000/month, but many states have raised this threshold or removed it entirely.
Your employer can only deduct for: absence from duty, damage to goods (with a show-cause notice), housing accommodation provided, income tax (TDS), PF/ESI contributions, and court-ordered payments. Any other deduction without your written consent is illegal. Total deductions cannot exceed 50% of your wages.
When you leave or are terminated, your employer must pay your full and final settlement — remaining salary, earned leave encashment, bonus, and gratuity (if eligible) — within 30 days in most states. Some states specify shorter timelines. If your employer is delaying your F&F, send a written demand.
Under the Payment of Bonus Act 1965, employees earning up to ₹21,000/month in establishments with 20+ workers are entitled to a minimum bonus of 8.33% of wages (maximum 20%). Bonus must be paid within 8 months of closing the accounting year.
If your employer deducted PF from your salary but didn't deposit it to EPFO, this is a criminal offence under the EPF Act. Check your PF balance on the EPFO portal (epfindia.gov.in) or UMANG app. If contributions are missing, file a complaint immediately.
Each state sets minimum wages by industry and skill level. If you're paid below the minimum wage for your category, you can file a claim for the difference plus damages. Check your state's minimum wage schedule on the Shram Suvidha Portal.
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General legal information only — not legal advice. For specific situations, consult the Labour Commissioner or a qualified lawyer.