High Court Seeks Delhi Govt’s Stand On PIL Against Advertising Of Jobs With Salaries Below Fixed Minimum Wage On Official Portal

The Delhi High Court Tuesday sought Delhi Government's response on a public interest litigation against advertising of job vacancies with salaries below the prescribed or fixed minimum wage on its official portal.

 A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad asked Delhi Government’s counsel to obtain instructions and listed the matter for hearing on May 23.

A law student of Jamia Millia Islamia University, Imran Ahmad in the PIL said he has filed the case for the benefit of workers and labourers working in Delhi. The PIL seeks enforcement of labour laws and termination of bonded labour in the national capital.

The plea seeks direction on the Delhi Government to “immediately stop” allowing any individual, company, organization or establishment from advertising job vacancy with salaries below the fixed minimum wage on its official portal or otherwise.

A direction is also sought on the government to monitor payment made to all such employees through online means and to ensure that they get prescribed or fixed minimum wage.

The PIL refers to an order issued by Delhi Government regarding minimum wages to be paid to unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers, with effect from October 1, 2022.

It is the petitioner’s case that job opportunities for posts like Office Boy, Cook, Waiter, Computer Operator, Delivery Boy, Kitchen Helper, Ambulance Driver, Peon, Security Guard etc. are being advertised with salaries below fixed minimum wage, thereby violating its order.

“…non-payment of Minimum wage is adversely affecting the right to life (including the right to health and the right to dignity) as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. It is because a person who does not have the minimum amount of money as decided by the government may not be in a position to buy and eat healthy food and avail other basic necessities such as cloths, accommodation and internet,” the plea reads.

Title: Md Imran Ahmad v. Government of NCT Of Delhi & Anr