Allahabad High Court Equates ₹150 Monthly Watchman Salary to ‘Forced Labour’
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The Allahabad High Court has delivered a significant judgment, emphasizing that the state’s act of employing a watchman for a mere monthly salary of ₹150 is tantamount to “forced labour.”
The court’s attention was drawn to this matter through a plea filed by the watchman in 2004. The petitioner began his employment journey in December 1992, with an initial monthly salary of just ₹30. By the subsequent year, he had officially assumed the role of a “choukidar” (watchman). In 1998, his salary was increased, but only to ₹150, an amount he has been receiving ever since.
Presenting the case, the petitioner’s counsel argued,
“He had continuously served for ten years since 1992 working daily from 10 AM to 4 PM just like other employees.” Given this dedicated service, the counsel contended that the watchman was rightfully “entitled to the minimum pay scale of a Class IV employee.”
It was also brought to the court’s notice that the watchman had made several representations to official authorities regarding this wage disparity, but to no avail.
Countering this, the State’s counsel put forth that
“the appointment of the petitioner was on the basis of monthly allowance and not as a Class IV employee.”
They further argued that since he was a part-time “choukidar,” he cannot be paid money applicable to the regular pay scale.
The court, in its observation, stated,
“The State can neither pre-empt any such situations nor can it prevent a woman from claiming a job simply because she has not tied the nuptial knot.”
It was further emphasized that
“The discrimination which is meted out to the unmarried women is ex-facie illegal, arbitrary and against the very scheme of the Constitution which guarantees equality.”
This case not only highlights the issue of fair wages but also underscores the importance of ensuring that every worker, irrespective of their role or hours, is compensated in a manner that respects the dignity of labor.
