The Labour Department, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh on March 10, 2026, issued the Draft Uttar Pradesh Code on Wages Rules, 2026.
The following has been stated:
• The draft rules lay down detailed provisions for the implementation of the Code on Wages, 2019, in the state, focusing on fair wage determination, timely payment, and worker protection. The rules provide that minimum wages shall be fixed based on skill level (unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, highly skilled), nature of work, and geographical location, while also considering the needs of a standard working-class family to ensure a decent living standard.
• They emphasize uniform applicability of minimum wages to all employees across sectors, removing earlier limitations of “scheduled employments,” and mandate timely payment of wages without unauthorized deductions. The rules also regulate working hours, rest intervals, and overtime wages, ensuring workers are compensated fairly for extra work.
• Further, provisions are made for bonus payments, maintenance of registers and records by employers, and issuance of wage slips, promoting transparency and accountability. Inspectors-cum-facilitators are empowered to ensure compliance, and mechanisms for claims, dispute resolution, and penalties for non-compliance are clearly defined.
The detailed notification is attached below.
[Notification no. - 426/XXXVI-03-2026-1901341]
