NSHRC directs State to expedite revision of minimum wages

The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) has directed the State government to ensure that the proposal for revision of minimum wages for workers in Nagaland is placed before the Cabinet at the earliest, but not later than March 31, 2026.
In an order issued on February 26, 2026 in Case No. 14/2024, the Commission observed that it had already made a recommendation to the Government of Nagaland on July 9, 2024 for review and revision of wages payable to employees and workers employed in the state under Schedule 1–19 of the revised list of scheduled employments as per NIC Code 2008.
The case was taken up suo motu by the Commission, with the respondents being the Government of Nagaland represented by the Chief Secretary, the Finance Commissioner, the Commissioner & Secretary (Personnel & Administrative Reforms), the Commissioner & Secretary of Labour and Employment, and the Labour Commissioner.
According to the order, it has been more than a year and a half since the Commission made its recommendation to the state government, but no revision has yet been effected. The Commission noted that the recommendation had been made in accordance with the mandatory provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, which requires that minimum wages be reviewed and revised every three years.
However, the Commission pointed out that wages in Nagaland had not been reviewed or revised since 2019. Taking into account the years since the last revision, it observed that nearly seven years had passed without any review.
The Commission further expressed concern that during this period inflation had continued to rise, which could adversely affect the living conditions of employees and workers across the state.
Stating that it had no doubt that a government elected by the people would also be concerned about the welfare of workers, the Commission nevertheless expressed dissatisfaction over the repeated responses from the respondents stating that the “Draft Cabinet Memo of the Minimum Wages, 2025” was under submission to the Cabinet Cell for approval.
The Commission noted that despite such responses, no concrete outcome had been shown so far, which had increased its concern over the delay.
“In such circumstances the Commission has no choice but to direct the Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland to ensure that the Draft Cabinet Memo is put up to the Cabinet for consideration at the earliest but not later than 31 March, 2026,” the order stated.
Accordingly, the Commission directed the Chief Secretary to ensure that the proposal is placed before the Cabinet within the stipulated timeframe and to inform the Commission on compliance.
The matter has been listed again for further hearing on April 7, 2026.