Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala — The Kerala government has significantly revised and increased minimum wage rates for a broad spectrum of workers, including agricultural labourers, dairy workers, milkmen and allied field workers. The move aims to enhance worker welfare and align pay with rising living costs.
In a policy update, workers in sectors such as warehouses, container freight stations and the paint manufacturing industry have also been brought under the Minimum Wages Act. Gymnasium employees will be included too, though their revised wage structure is still being finalised.
The latest revision updates the wage framework first strengthened by the Pinarayi Vijayan government in 2017, and reflects a calculation based on an eight-hour workday.
Read More: Indira Dairy Programme: Women in Telangana, New Scheme with 70% Subsidy, Only 30% Contribution
Revised Minimum Wages in Kerala (with Previous Rates in Brackets)
Agricultural & Field Operations
- Hard nature work
Activities: digging, loading, bund work, pond excavation, green manure preparation, tree trimming
₹830/day (previously ₹490) - Light nature work
Activities: weeding, aquatic weed removal, sowing, planting, paddy sacking
₹710/day (previously ₹410) - Unskilled nursery work
₹730/day (₹420) - Skilled field work
₹830/day (₹490) - Clear felling, ploughing, spraying, manuring
₹710/day (₹410)
Mechanised Operations
- Tractor or tiller operation (ploughing):
₹170/hr (₹110) - Mechanised sawing:
₹160/hr (₹100)
Dairy Sector
- Milking (twice a day):
₹850/day (₹505) - Milking + other duties:
₹940/day (₹570) - Loretaker work:
₹940/day (₹570)
Cattle & Allied Work
- Cattle feeding, cleaning, manure removal, fodder field work, silage pit and cowshed tasks:
₹810/day (₹480)
Piece-Rate Wages
- Soil-filled cover:
₹1 per cover (50 paise) - Dung collection:
₹20/kg (₹12)
What This Means
The revised wage rates represent a significant uplift, with some categories seeing increases of up to 70–80%. Dairy workers, for example, now earn close to ₹850–₹940 per day depending on duties — a substantial rise from previous rates.
By strengthening labour protections across sectors traditionally vulnerable to wage drift, the Kerala government aims to:
- Improve rural incomes
- Enhance worker welfare
- Make labour markets more equitable
- Support productive engagement in agriculture and dairy
The inclusion of additional worker categories — such as warehouse and container freight station staff — also reflects a broader effort to expand minimum wage coverage across diverse segments of the state’s workforce.
Join Our “Dairy & Food Jobs Updates” WhatsApp group
Disclaimer
I do my best to share reliable and well-researched insights but occasional errors or omissions may slip through. Please view all content as informational.
Stay informed on all the latest news updates
All Agriculture Books Free Download
All Dairy Technology Books Free Download
All Agricultural Engineering Books Free download
All Horticulture Books Free Download
All Fisheries Science Books Free Download
For Daily Update follow us at:
Facebook Telegram Whatsapp Instagram YouTube
The contents are provided free for noncommercial purpose such as teaching, training, research, extension and self learning.
If you are facing any Problem than fill form Contact Us
If you want share any article related Agriculture with us than send at info@agrimoon.com with your contact detail.
