Kerala Minimum Wages Notification — Scheduled Employment System Explained
Looking for one "Kerala Minimum Wages PDF" that covers every industry? It doesn't exist — and here's why, plus where to actually find your sector's rate.
Kerala does not use a single, uniform state-wide minimum wage. Under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the state's Labour & Skills Department fixes and revises rates separately for each "Scheduled Employment" — roughly 85 to 88 distinct sectors, including the Cashew Industry, Plantations, Coir Industry, Star Hotels, Gold and Silver Manufacture, Private Security Services, Shops and Commercial Establishments, Handloom, and Fish Peeling and Canning, among others. Rates can further vary by grade or zone within a sector — Plantations, for instance, is zone-graded.
How Notifications Are Issued
Each scheduled employment typically goes through two stages — a Preliminary (draft) notification inviting objections, followed by a Final notification carrying the binding rate. Recent examples include Agricultural Operations & Allied Sector (2025 Final), Gold/Silver Ornaments Manufacture (2026 Final), Photography & Videography (2026 Final), Cane and Bamboo Industry (2025 Final), and Private Hospitals (2026, Preliminary stage).
The Schedule itself is periodically updated too — the Airport Sector was excluded on 20 January 2026, while the Gymnasium Sector was newly added via G.O.(P) No.108/2025/LBR dated 17 December 2025.
Where to Find the Correct Rate
The official source is the Kerala Labour Commissionerate's Minimum Wage Notifications page — it lists every scheduled employment with direct links to the sector-wise gazette notification PDFs (English and Malayalam, where available). Identify the specific scheduled employment matching your industry before assuming a general figure applies.
The National Floor Wage — A Development Worth Watching
The central government's National Floor Level Minimum Wage has stood at ₹178/day since 2019 and was, until recently, purely advisory. This changes materially with the Code on Wages, 2019 — notified into force 21 November 2025, operational from 1 April 2026 — which makes the National Floor Wage statutory, meaning states, including Kerala, can no longer fix minimum wages below it. As of mid-2026, Kerala is still aligning its scheduled-employment rates with this new framework.
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Find verified Kerala-based Labour Compliance Consultants on BusinessBazar — businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad
Kerala does not use a single, uniform state-wide minimum wage. Under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the state's Labour & Skills Department fixes and revises rates separately for each "Scheduled Employment" — roughly 85 to 88 distinct sectors, including the Cashew Industry, Plantations, Coir Industry, Star Hotels, Gold and Silver Manufacture, Private Security Services, Shops and Commercial Establishments, Handloom, and Fish Peeling and Canning, among others. Rates can further vary by grade or zone within a sector — Plantations, for instance, is zone-graded.
How Notifications Are Issued
Each scheduled employment typically goes through two stages — a Preliminary (draft) notification inviting objections, followed by a Final notification carrying the binding rate. Recent examples include Agricultural Operations & Allied Sector (2025 Final), Gold/Silver Ornaments Manufacture (2026 Final), Photography & Videography (2026 Final), Cane and Bamboo Industry (2025 Final), and Private Hospitals (2026, Preliminary stage).
The Schedule itself is periodically updated too — the Airport Sector was excluded on 20 January 2026, while the Gymnasium Sector was newly added via G.O.(P) No.108/2025/LBR dated 17 December 2025.
Where to Find the Correct Rate
The official source is the Kerala Labour Commissionerate's Minimum Wage Notifications page — it lists every scheduled employment with direct links to the sector-wise gazette notification PDFs (English and Malayalam, where available). Identify the specific scheduled employment matching your industry before assuming a general figure applies.
The National Floor Wage — A Development Worth Watching
The central government's National Floor Level Minimum Wage has stood at ₹178/day since 2019 and was, until recently, purely advisory. This changes materially with the Code on Wages, 2019 — notified into force 21 November 2025, operational from 1 April 2026 — which makes the National Floor Wage statutory, meaning states, including Kerala, can no longer fix minimum wages below it. As of mid-2026, Kerala is still aligning its scheduled-employment rates with this new framework.
Need Expert Help?
Find verified Kerala-based Labour Compliance Consultants on BusinessBazar — businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad
Need Help with Kerala Payroll Compliance?
This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Kerala's scheduled-employment rates are revised frequently and vary by sector. Always verify the current notification for your specific scheduled employment on lc.kerala.gov.in. BusinessBazar accepts no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this information.
Need a verified Payroll Consultant? Find one at businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad
Need a verified Payroll Consultant? Find one at businessbazar.in/services/hr-consultant/ahmedabad