The Office of the Labour Commissioner, Gujarat State, Gandhinagar, has issued two notifications dated 5 October 2026. They set the daily special allowance rates under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and the wage rates payable to contract workers under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970. The revised special allowance applies from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Special Allowance Under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948
The special allowance is linked to the cost of living index. It is payable in addition to the basic minimum wage fixed by the Government for each scheduled employment.
| Sr. No. | Scheduled Employment | Daily Special Allowance (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 scheduled employments, including ship breaking and sweeping and cleaning work | 72.50 |
| 2 | 6 scheduled employments: brick manufacturing, zari industry, ready-made garments, salt industry, tobacco and bidi manufacturing, and agriculture | 158.50 |
Reference: Circular No. Shra.Aa.K/T.3/2026/503 to 528, issued by the Deputy Labour Commissioner and Competent Authority under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Gandhinagar.
Wage Rates for Contract Workers Under the Contract Labour Act, 1970
Under Condition No. 4 of the licence issued under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, and the Gujarat Rules, 1972, contractors must pay their workers the minimum wages fixed for scheduled employments, along with the cost of living allowance declared from time to time.
For contract workers engaged in employments that are not covered under the Minimum Wages Act schedule, the Labour Commissioner has fixed the following daily basic wage rates. These rates have been in force since 24 April 2023.
| Sr. No. | Category of Worker | Zone 1 (Rs. per day) | Zone 2 (Rs. per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skilled | 474.00 | 462.00 |
| 2 | Semi-skilled | 462.00 | 452.00 |
| 3 | Unskilled | 452.00 | 446.00 |
In addition to these basic wages, contractors must pay a special allowance of Rs. 72.50 per day (seventy-two rupees and fifty paise) for the six-month period from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Total Daily Wage Payable (Basic Wage + Special Allowance)
| Category of Worker | Zone 1 (Rs. per day) | Zone 2 (Rs. per day) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled | 546.50 | 534.50 |
| Semi-skilled | 534.50 | 524.50 |
| Unskilled | 524.50 | 518.50 |
Zone Classification
- Zone 1: Areas within municipal corporation limits under the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, areas within municipality limits under the Gujarat Municipalities Act, 1963, and areas under the jurisdiction of the concerned urban development authorities.
- Zone 2: All areas of Gujarat State not included in Zone 1.
Reference: Circular No. Shra.Aa.K/T-3/2026/525, issued by the Labour Commissioner, Gujarat State, Gandhinagar.
What Employers and Contractors Need to Do
Employers in scheduled employments and licensed contractors across Gujarat must update their payroll to include the revised special allowance from 1 October 2026. The Labour Commissioner has directed the concerned contractors to comply with these orders.
For official details, visit the Labour Commissioner’s website: www.col.gujarat.gov.in