WikiLabour
Applies to this profile · Every employee in a scheduled employment

Minimum wages

State, zone, skill — shops vs industrial.

Basic rates for every class of employee the order names. The order sets one rate for the whole state.

Basic rates only. The order adds a dearness allowance of ₹26 a month (₹1 a day for daily-rated workers) for every point the consumer price index for the district headquarters, published by the Department of Economics and Statistics on the 1998-99 = 100 base, is above 240. The order does not say which month's index applies, and the Department publishes its indices for 17 centres rather than for each district headquarters, so no allowance is added here. For July 2026 the Department's estimated indices on that base run from 428 (Thrissur, Wayanad) to 506 (Mundakayam); Thiruvananthapuram's is 477 and Ernakulam's 441.

Shops (Category A)

  • Special grade

    ₹9,330 basic

    Manager

  • Grade A

    ₹9,120 basic

    Purchasing Manager/Purchasing Officer/Purchaser, Head Clerk, Air Conditioning Mechanic/Operator, Electronic Mechanic, Sales Supervisor/Supervisor, Stenographer, Watch Mechanic, Radio and Electric Mechanic, Vaidyan (Ayurvedic), Artist (Photo Studio), Electrician, Photographer

  • Grade B

    ₹8,910 basic

    Accountant, Clerk, Typist, Cashier, Booking Clerk, Tally Clerk, Godown Keeper, Bill Collector, Salesman/Sales Woman, Assistant Photographer, Technician (Musical Instruments Shops), Assistant Mechanic (Radio and Electric Shop), Tailor, Compounder (Allopathy, Ayurvedic, Homoeopathy), Baker, Foreman/Mesthiri, Barber, Cutter (Hardware Shop), Tinsmith, Coppersmith (including Brass and Bronzesmith), Goldsmith, Head Load Worker (in shops), Cycle Mechanic, Workers engaged in drying, storing, washing, measuring, packing, loading and unloading in pandikasalas, warehouses, godown, store rooms and hill produce merchants shops, Skilled Workers (Ivory Shops), Carpenter (Furniture and Other Shops), Position (Furniture and Other Shops), Ratton Worker (Furniture and Other Shops), Correspondent (in wholesale shops doing exclusively correspondence work), Van salesman/Bill Collector

  • Grade C

    ₹8,700 basic

    Studio Assistant/Shop Assistant, Basket Stitcher (Betel Shops), Packer, Cart Puller, Washer man (Laundries), Ironing Worker, Wireman (Radio and Electrical Shops), Machine man (Soda and Soft drinks manufacturing establishments), Baker (Bakeries), Cleaner, Civil Agent, Unskilled Workers (Ivory Shop)

  • Grade D

    ₹8,490 basic

    Attender, Peon, Watchman, Ayurvedic Worker

  • Grade E

    ₹8,280 basic

    Cleaner (Bakeries and other shops), Office Assistant/Sales Assistant (Commercial Establishments), Sweeper

Chitties and kuries (Category B)

  • Special grade

    ₹9,330 basic

    Manager

  • Grade A

    ₹9,120 basic

    Assistant Manager/Office Manager, Chief Accountant/Secretary, Office Superintendent, Auditor (Full-time), Development Officer

  • Grade B

    ₹8,910 basic

    Junior Office Manager, Personal Assistant, Junior Development Officer, Accountant, Legal Assistant, Cashier, Stenographer, Office Assistant/Clerk, Typist, Civil Agent

  • Grade C

    ₹8,700 basic

    Bill Collector, Field Assistant, Junior Assistant, Driver

Shops, commercial establishments, lodges (Category C)

  • Special grade

    ₹9,330 basic

    Manager

  • Grade A

    ₹9,120 basic

    Assistant Manager (Lodges), Receptionist, Accountant/Clerk, Cashier, Fitter (Cycle dealer shops, repairing and hiring shops), Reflectionary Man (Optical shops), Chemist (Soap, Candle and Soft drinks manufacturing establishments), Inspector (Parcel Services)

  • Grade B

    ₹8,910 basic

    Glass Cutter (Glass and Photo framing shops), Photo Framing worker, Auctioner (Vegetable shops), Mobile Salesman/Running Salesman/Cycle Salesman (Sweet stalls/Ice-fruits and cold drinks/Soda factories/Soft Drink shops/Coffee and Tea/Milk and Dairy Products, Bakeries and Confectioneries), Mechanic (Ice, Ice fruits and cold drinks and Soft drinks establishments), Canvaser (Laundries and dry cleaners), Cashier-cum-Bill Collector (Petrol Bunks), Mixer (Perfumery works), Service man (Fuel dealers shops), Engraver-cum-Sales man (Steel and Aluminium Vessels shops), Darkroom man (Photo studio), Assistant Fitter (Cycle dealers, repairing and hiring shops), Repairer, Fitter (Grinding cutter, Optical shops), Head baker (Bakeries and Confectioneries), Sweet maker, Mechanic Fitter (Parcel service), Personal Assistant (Commission Agencies House), Steamer Supervisor (Steamer Agency House), Tally Supervisor (Steamer Agency House), Ice, Ice Fruit and Soft drinks maker, Umbrella Repairer (Umbrella Shops), Electrician (Lodges), Lift Operator (Lodges), Security Guard (Lodges), Driver (Lodges)

  • Grade C

    ₹8,700 basic

    General Worker (Grocery shops and parcel services), Polisher (Automobile dealers shops), Roster Grinder (Coffee works), Bottle Filler (Milk Dairy Products and Soft drinks manufacturing establishments), Delivery man (Fuel Gas dealers shops), Weighing man (Steel and Aluminium Vessels shops), Medicine Manufacturing Worker (Unskilled) (Ayurvedic vaidyasalas and Ayurvedic medical shops), Marunnu Vettukaran, Dark room Assistant (Photo Studio), Retoucher (Photo Studio), Finisher (Photo Studio), Assistant Mechanic (Watch repairing and dealers, Radio sales and service, musical instruments and other shops), Packer (Automobile Spare Parts, Tyre and tube shops and other shops), Assistant Wireman (Light and sound services), Mike operator, Assistant Branch Manager (Parcel services), Room boy (Lodges), Head Gardener (Lodges), Head Watchman (Lodges), Plumber (Lodges)

  • Grade D

    ₹8,490 basic

    Numbering man (Laundries and dry cleaners and book binding shops), Filling and Packing man (Perfumery works), Helper (Cycle dealers, cycle fitting and cycle repairing and hiring shops), Gardener (Lodges), Watchman (Lodges), Cleaner (Lodges), Dobby (Lodges), Scavenger (Lodges)

  • Grade E

    ₹8,280 basic

    Cleaner, Office Attender, Studio Attender, Messenger, Steamer Watchman, Steamer Godown Watchman, Sweeper

Hotels, canteens, restaurants (Category D)

  • Special grade

    ₹8,230 basic

    Manager

  • Grade A

    ₹8,040 basic

    Assistant Manager, Accountant, Cashier, Receptionist/Telephone Operator, Steward, Specialized Cook/Head Cook, Butler, Sweet maker, Tea maker, Grinder, Kitchen Supervisor, Room Supervisor

  • Grade B

    ₹7,850 basic

    Assistant Accountant, Assistant Steward, Cook, Pantryman, Supplier, Store Keeper, Bar man, Canteen Outdoor Supplier, Clerk/Typist/Bill Clerk/Bill Collector, Driver, Waiter/Bearer

  • Grade C

    ₹7,660 basic

    Room Boy, Canvasser/Vendor (Railway Station, Bus Station etc.), Assistant Store Keeper, Mason, Plumber, Painter, Outdoor supplier, Kitchen mate, Assistant Bar man, Head Gardener, Head Watchman

  • Grade D

    ₹7,470 basic

    Gardener, Water Boy, Peon Attender, Watchman, General Worker, Cleaner/Vehicle Cleaner, Helper, Watchman, Sweeper, Scavenger

Courier, DTP centres, internet cafes, telephone booths (Schedule II)

  • Special grade

    ₹9,330 basic

    Manager

  • Grade A

    ₹9,120 basic

    Assistant Manager, Sales Executive, Supervisor, Marketing Executive

  • Grade B

    ₹8,910 basic

    Accountant, Computer Operator, Clerk, Cashier, D.T.P. Operator, Field Staff (including Pick up boy, Delivery boy, On train courier), Operator, Driver

  • Grade C

    ₹8,700 basic

    Office Assistant, Collection Agent, Photo Copier Operator

  • Grade D

    ₹8,490 basic

    Booth Telephone Operator, Peon, Helper

  • Grade E

    ₹8,280 basic

    Sweeper, Cleaner

Catering services (Schedule II)

  • Special grade

    ₹9,330 basic

    Manager, Marketing Executive, Cook (Non vegetarian)

  • Grade A

    ₹9,120 basic

    Supervisor, Cook (Vegetarian), Accountant, Clerk, Cashier

  • Grade B

    ₹8,910 basic

    Assistant Cook, Supplier, Driver

  • Grade C

    ₹8,700 basic

    Helper

  • Grade D

    ₹8,490 basic

    Sweeper, Cleaner

Houseboat services (Schedule II)

  • Special grade

    ₹9,330 basic

    Manager

  • Grade A

    ₹9,120 basic

    Marketing Executive

  • Grade B

    ₹8,910 basic

    Master, Engine Driver, Clerk, Cashier

  • Grade C

    ₹8,700 basic

    Lascar, Cook

  • Grade D

    ₹8,490 basic

    Office Assistant

  • Grade E

    ₹8,280 basic

    Helper

Daily-rated workers (Category E)

  • Grade A

    ₹325 a day

    Sweet maker (Sweet stall), Moulder (Copper and Brass vessels shops), Highly skilled craftsman (Ivory, Horn, Handicrafts Article shops), Works Supervisor (Tailoring, Readymade dresses and Embroidery works), Cutter (Western style, Foreign Style, Indian Style Tailoring, Readymade dresses and Embroidery works), Soap maker, Candle maker, Chappals maker, Cobbler, Shoe maker, Suitcase maker

  • Grade B

    ₹315 a day

    Amble mixer (Fertilizers and Chemicals shops), Cutting, Weighing, Measuring Worker (Building and other construction material shops), Blender (mixing man) (Tea merchants shops), Wood Cutter (Fire wood and fuel shops), Helper (Goldsmiths, Jewellery mart), Engraver (Photo Block, Rubber Stamps making and other studios), Block maker (Photo block, Rubber Stamp making and other studios), Tyre Shaper (Tyre resoling, retreading and tube vulcanizing shops), Machineman (Tyre resoling, retreading and tube vulcanizing shops), Garment maker (Tailoring, readymade dress and embroidery works), Supervisor (Hair cutting and hair dressing shops)

  • Grade C

    ₹305 a day

    Hand Cart puller (Metal and other shops), Flower maker (Flower shops), Sales man (Fruits merchants shops), Assistant Sweet maker (Sweet stall), Frying man (Sweet stall), Peeling man (Meat and Fish Stall), Dry cleaner (Laundries and Dry cleaners establishments), Parppadam Maker (Parppadam production units/Merchant shops), Flour maker (Parppadam production units/Merchant shops), Cutting Salesman (Meat and Fish Stall), Butcher-cum-Salesman (Meat and Fish Stall), Polisher (Copper, Brass Vessels and Other Shops), Lead Plater (Copper, Brass Vessels and Other Shops), Assistant Engraver, Painter and Artist (Photo Block, Rubber Stamp making and other Studios), Tyre Grinder (Tyre resoling, retreading and tube vulcanizing shops), Semi skilled craftsman (Ivory, Horn and Handicrafts Articles shops), Mechanic, Fitter and Painter (Toy making and Sales Shops and Furniture marts), Measurer (Tailoring shops), Assistant Carpenter (Furniture Marts), General Worker (Arecanut shops, General merchants and consumer stores), Manual Labour (Automobile Spare parts, including tyre and tubes and other shops)

  • Grade D

    ₹295 a day

    Assistant Tailor (Tailoring Shops), Out worker (Book binding shops), Sorter (Gunny bags), Packing man (Fruit merchant shops), Packing and Labelling man (Soap and candle works), Packing, Loading and Unloading worker (Tobacco and other shops)

  • Grade E

    ₹285 a day

    Helper (Tailoring shops, Book Binding shops, Laundries and dry cleaners and furniture marts), Loading and unloading workers (Dry fish Merchants, Laundries and dry cleaners, Gunny bags, Oil merchants, General Merchants, Consumer Stores establishments etc.), Loading and unloading man (Beetal shops, General Merchants, Consumer Stores establishments etc.), Attender/Engraver (Photo Blocks, Rubber stamps making and other studios)

Daily-rated catering workers (Schedule II)

  • Cook (Non vegetarian)

    ₹325 a day

  • Cook (Vegetarian)

    ₹315 a day

  • Assistant Cook

    ₹305 a day

  • Supplier

    ₹305 a day

  • Helper

    ₹295 a day

  • Sweeper

    ₹285 a day

  • Cleaner

    ₹285 a day

The same order also says

  • Employees working in municipality and corporation areas are paid ₹200 a month more.
  • Service weightage is added after five years with an employer: 5% of basic wages above 5 years and up to 10, 10% above 10 and up to 15, and 15% above 15 years.
  • A daily wage for a monthly-rated class is the basic monthly wage divided by 26, with the dearness allowance included; a monthly rate for a daily-rated class is the daily rate multiplied by 26.
  • Employees not placed in categories B to F are paid the Category A rates, and Category D employees are provided food in addition to the minimum wage.
  • Category F sets piece rates for tobacco shops, note book binding, leather goods, suitcases, gunny bags, oil merchants' shops and loading and unloading in shops; they are in the order itself and are not listed here.
  • Employees already paid more than these rates continue to be paid the higher rates.
Gazette-sourced

Source: Kerala minimum wages — shops and commercial establishments and Schedule II services, basic rates under section 3(1)(b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, G.O.(P) No.196/2016/LBR dated 21.12.2016 · ·

Kerala's own rules · researched

The table above is from the state's own published wage order and allowance statement. Everything below is Kerala-specific, researched and not yet checked against an official source.

Not yet verified against an official source
Proposed revision
A revision was proposed in February 2026, with basic rates set by the number of workers (1–3, 4–20, 21–50, above 50). It is a proposal open to objections, not the rates in force; the table above stays until a final notification is publishedNotification No.LBRD-E1/107/2023-LBRD, 03.02.2026, Kerala Gazette Extraordinary No.482, 05.02.2026
Dearness allowance in rupees
Not yet addedThe order does not say which month's district index applies
Piece rates (Category F)
Not yet addedIn the order itself; not transcribed

Plain-language desk, not legal advice. Confirm the Gazette and the current state circular before you file.

Not yet verified against a published gazette

The documents behind this page · 2 documents · latest 19 August 2026