The Office of the Commissioner, Labour and Employment, Goa has issued an order dated 29 April 2026 revising the minimum wages payable in various scheduled employments. The revision is based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for industrial workers for the period June 2025 to December 2025, which reached 425 points (base 2001=100), reflecting an increase of 46 points. Consequently, the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) has been fixed at ₹149 per day, effective from 1 April 2026.

Key Highlights of the Notification

  • Applicability:
    • All scheduled employments notified under the Goa Minimum Wages framework, including shops, commercial establishments, hotels, restaurants, watch and ward, construction, pharmaceutical units, cashew factories, cinema exhibition, electronics, automobile workshops, transport undertakings, hospitals, printing, food processing, breweries, garment manufacturing, bricks and tiles, saw mills, agriculture, and textile industries.
  • Basis of Revision:
    • CPI increase from 379 to 425 points for industrial workers (base 2001=100).
    • Resulting VDA increase: ₹149 per day across categories.
  • Effective Date:
    • Revised wages applicable from 1 April 2026.
  • Compliance Requirement:
    • Employers in all scheduled employments must incorporate the revised VDA into wage calculations.
    • Non-compliance may attract penalties under the applicable labour laws.

Impact on Employers and Employees

  • For Employers: Payroll systems must be updated to reflect the revised VDA component effective April 2026. Employers across industries including agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, and healthcare must ensure compliance.
  • For Employees: Workers across scheduled employments will benefit from higher minimum wages due to CPI-linked VDA adjustments, ensuring wages remain aligned with inflationary trends.
  • For HR/Compliance Teams: Immediate action is required to update wage structures and communicate changes to employees. Regular monitoring of CPI-based revisions remains essential.

For detailed reading of this notification and to access all other important updates, please visit the Notifications tab on our website.

Disclaimer: This news post is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to consult the official gazette notification issued by the Government of Goa or seek professional legal counsel before taking any compliance-related action.