Minimum wage system serves a useful purpose as it prevents human exploitation and provides necessary cushion to workers through periodic revision of minimum wages on a statutory basis. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 empowers the Central and State Governments to fix and revise the minimum rates of wages payable to workers in scheduled employments in sweated and unorganised industries. The wage rates so fixed have greater importance as an item of cost of production and also have an important bearing on the standard of living and well being of the working force.

The Labour Bureau brings out an annual report on the working of Minimum Wages Act, 1948. The present report pertains to the year 2002. It presents information on employments added, employments in which the Minimum Wages were fixed for the first time and the minimum wages in different scheduled employments prevalent during the year. Information contained in this volume is based on the annual reports received from the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) as well as the authorities of the State Governments and Union Territories. The Labour Bureau, therefore, expresses its gratitude to all of them for their co-operation.

I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts put in by S/Shri Devinder Kumar, Senior Statistical Officer; V.I Sharma, Inv. Gr-II; Charan Dass, Computor and Shri Jagmal, R.M.P.P for bringing out this publication under the supervision and guidance of Shri Bal Ram, Deputy Director and Shri Ravi Datt, Director.

The views expressed, if any, are not necessarily those of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. Suggestions for improvement are welcome.