Published May 27, 2026 | 9:22 AM ⚊ Updated May 27, 2026 | 9:22 AM
Construction workers.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government increased the minimum wages for organised and unorganised workers by up to 60 percent across 81 scheduled employments. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state has taken a historic step towards dignity and prosperity for workers.
The Karnataka government increased the minimum wages for organised and unorganised workers by up to 60 percent across 81 scheduled employments.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state has taken a historic step towards dignity and prosperity for workers.
“Our government has increased minimum wages by up to 60% across 81 sectors, ensuring better livelihoods for lakhs of organised and unorganised workers. ₹23,376 minimum monthly wage for unskilled workers in Bengaluru. Up to ₹31,114 for highly skilled workers. Gender disparity in wage structures removed. We believe economic growth must empower every hardworking citizen and strengthen social justice,” he wrote in an X post on Tuesday, 26 May.
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In the gazette notification issued on Monday, the Karnataka government said that the order ends the legal proceedings related to an order issued during the year 2022-23. Notifications were issued, revising the rates for a total of 34 different scheduled employments by adding an increase of 5–10 percent to the minimum wages that were prevailing during the said period.
However, this was challenged by labour unions and employers, leading to a long legal battle. On 16 April 2025, the Karnataka High Court directed the state government to issue the final notification after completing the due process.
This due process includes receiving objections, placing them before the Karnataka State Minimum Wages Advisory Board, and forwarding its recommendations to the state Government before publishing the final notification. This judgment of the Single Judge of the high court was accepted by all parties — the labour unions, the state government, and the employers.
In the notification, the government said it has reviewed the suggestions and objections received from employers, industrial heads, and labour unions, along with the opinions compiled during the deliberations of the Minimum Wages Advisory Board, and revised the minimum wage rates with immediate effect.
