'Minimum Wages Not A Static Concept' : Karnataka HC Upholds 487.20% Rise in Doctors' Minimum Wages [Read Order]

"The concept of minimum wages is not a static concept", observed the Karnataka High Court while upholding the wage revisions notified by the government. The Court was considering, inter alia, the Writ Appeal filed by the Private Hospital and Nursing Homes Association, aggrieved by the Karnataka Government's notification of January 6, 2017 by which the minimum wages for doctors and other personnel in private hospitals and nursing homes have been increased by "487.20%" to bring them at par with the wage of their counterparts covered under the Employees' State Insurance. Hence, fixation of minimum wages is a legislative function.Hence, it follows that the requirement of giving reasons and giving hearing are ruled out" The bench made a reference to the deliberations in the Karnataka state Minimum Wage Advisory Board to infer that the members were of the view that for determining the minimum wages of doctors, the wages fixed under the Employees' Insurance Scheme Establishments be taken into consideration. But, it cannot be said that as of 30th December 2017, the rate of minimum wages of doctors fixed as above is arbitrary or unreasonable or capricious", ruled the High Court.