Rajasthan High Court orders minimum wage for fourth‑grade staff hired via placement agencies

The Rajasthan High Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming that employees classified as fourth‑grade and recruited through private placement agencies are entitled to the statutory minimum wage. The bench examined petitions filed by several workers who claimed they were being paid below the legal floor wage despite being employed under the same terms as regular government staff.

In its order, the court held that the method of recruitment cannot be used as a basis to deprive workers of their minimum wage rights. It directed all relevant government departments and placement agencies to ensure that the wage structure for fourth‑grade staff complies with the Rajasthan Minimum Wages Act, without any discrimination.

The ruling is expected to impact thousands of contract workers across the state, prompting a review of existing hiring practices in public‑sector placement agencies. Authorities have been asked to report compliance within a stipulated timeframe, and failure to do so may attract punitive action.