Maternity, Gratuity & Wages Acts — Set 2
Labour Laws · प्रसूति, ग्रेच्युटी और मजदूरी अधिनियम · Questions 11–20 of 160
The Minimum Wages Act was enacted in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 1948
The Minimum Wages Act was enacted in 1948 to provide for the fixation and revision of minimum wages for scheduled employments. It ensures that workers receive adequate wages to meet their basic needs. The Act is applicable to both organized and unorganized sectors for scheduled employments. Minimum wages are fixed by both Central and State Governments for different industries.
Under the Minimum Wages Act, minimum wages must be revised at least once in every:
Correct Answer: C. 5 years
Under Section 3 of the Minimum Wages Act, the appropriate government must revise minimum wages within a period of not more than five years. The government may also revise wages through the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) mechanism linked to the cost of living index. This revision ensures that minimum wages keep pace with inflation and rising living costs.
Under the Payment of Gratuity Act, the maximum gratuity payable was enhanced to Rs.20 lakh in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2018
The ceiling on gratuity payable under the Payment of Gratuity Act was enhanced from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.20 lakh in 2018 through the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Act, 2018. This amendment also empowered the Central Government to revise the ceiling through notification. Government employees already had a higher ceiling. The enhancement benefited private sector employees significantly.
Under the Minimum Wages Act, who is a 'scheduled employment'?
Correct Answer: B. Employment listed in the Schedule to the Act
Under the Minimum Wages Act, 'scheduled employment' refers to any employment specified in the Schedule to the Act. The Schedule lists various industries and occupations for which minimum wages are fixed. States can add more employments to their schedule. Examples include agriculture, construction, beedi-making, tanning, and rice mills.
Under the Maternity Benefit Act, which benefit was introduced by the 2017 Amendment for work from home?
Correct Answer: B. Work from home option for 26 weeks
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 introduced an important provision allowing women who have availed maternity benefit to work from home after the maternity leave period if the nature of work permits. This option may be availed for a period mutually agreed upon between the employee and employer. This is particularly beneficial for professional women in service sectors.
Under the Payment of Wages Act, wages must be paid by what method?
Correct Answer: C. Any method including bank transfer
The Payment of Wages Act requires that wages be paid on time and without unauthorized deductions. Wages can be paid by cash, cheque, or directly to the employee's bank account. The 2017 amendment allows payment of wages through digital modes. The date of payment must be specified in advance. Workers employed in establishments with less than 1000 workers must be paid by the 7th of the following month.
Under the Payment of Gratuity Act, which authority hears appeals against the order of the Controlling Authority?
Correct Answer: B. Appellate Authority
Under Section 7 of the Payment of Gratuity Act, an Appellate Authority is designated to hear appeals against orders of the Controlling Authority. The Appellate Authority is typically a senior labour official. The employer or employee can appeal within 60 days of the order. Further appeals may lie to the High Court under the appropriate High Court rules.
What is the formula for calculating gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act?
Correct Answer: B. Last drawn wages × 15 × years / 26
The formula for calculating gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act is: (Last drawn wages × 15 × Number of completed years of service) / 26. The divisor 26 represents the number of working days in a month. The factor 15 represents 15 days of wages per year of service. Wages include basic pay and dearness allowance but exclude HRA and other allowances.
The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 applies to establishments employing how many workers?
Correct Answer: B. 10 or more
The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 applies to every establishment in which 10 or more persons are employed or were employed on any day of the preceding 12 months. The Act applies to factories, mines, plantations, shops, and other establishments. After the 2017 amendment, the Act also covers crèche facilities. The Act ensures women workers are not discriminated against for pregnancy.
Under the Maternity Benefit Act, the 2017 amendment made crèche facilities mandatory for establishments employing:
Correct Answer: B. 50 or more employees
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 made it mandatory for every establishment employing 50 or more employees to provide a crèche facility within a prescribed distance of the establishment. Four visits by a nursing mother to the crèche per day are allowed. This provision supports working mothers with young children and reduces absenteeism.