UNITY INFRAPROJECTS LTD Vs. LABOUR ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CENTRAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Petitioner has approached this Court contending that the order passed by the Authority under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 is illegal. By this order, the Petitioner has been directed to pay penalty equivalent to three times the amount of minimum wages which were found payable to the workmen. As a result, the Petitioner has been directed to pay 7,27,164/- as penalty. Admittedly, 2,42,388/- has been paid as the minimum wages to the workers, however, this amount has been paid belatedly. The Authority has taken into consideration the reply filed by the Petitioner although the 1st party submitted it to the Deputy Commissioner of Labour instead of the Regional Labour Commissioner. On the basis of the material on record, the Authority has imposed the penalty equal to three times the differential wages.

(2.) In my view, there is no need to interfere in the findings recorded by the Authority or the penalty imposed. Under the Minimum Wages Act, penalty can be imposed to the extent of 10 times the dues payable as minimum wages.

(3.) Admittedly, the minimum wages have already been paid to the workmen, though belatedly.