ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: President Pervez Musharraf on Monday notified the increase in the minimum wages of unskilled labours from Rs1500 to 2500.

The Ordinance, called West Pakistan Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers (Amendment) Ordinance 2001, promulgated on Monday, provided that Column (2) of Schedule of West Pakistan Ordinance of 1969, should be amended to the extent that the figure Rs1500, shall be substituted with the figure of Rs2500.

Another amendment to section 3 of West Pakistan Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers Ordinance XX of 1969 was made to add that, “wages include cost of living (Relief) Act 1973 and special allowance announced by the government from time to time, before the commencement of the West Pakistan Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers Amendment (Ordinance, 2001).

In making amendment to section 3 of WP Ordinance XX, 1969, the word “West Pakistan” was omitted. In Section 3(b) it has been provided that “wherein fifty or more persons are employed or were employed on any day during the preceding twelve month” shall be omitted.