FICO strongly opposes Punjab government's new wage payment policy
The Federation of Industrial & Commercial Organization (FICO) has strongly opposed the Punjab Government's recent notification making wage payments mandatory through cheques, bank transfers or electronic modes, discontinuing cash payments in covered establishments.
City Air News
Nov 15, 2026 11:26
0
Ludhiana, November 15, 2026: The Federation of Industrial & Commercial Organization (FICO) has strongly opposed the Punjab Government's recent notification making wage payments mandatory through cheques, bank transfers or electronic modes, discontinuing cash payments in covered establishments.
Gurmeet Singh Kular, President FICO, said that the decision ignores ground realities of the industrial sector. Workers will have to repeatedly visit banks to withdraw their wages, resulting in loss of working hours and unnecessary inconvenience. When employers and employees are working happily with mutual trust, the government should not create unnecessary complications. If any dispute arises, Labour Courts are already available to resolve such matters.
Manjinder Singh Sachdeva, General Secretary FICO, said that industrial workers frequently require salary advances four to five times a month for house rent, groceries, children's school fees, medicines and other urgent expenses. Employers routinely provide such advances to support their workers, which are later adjusted against monthly wages. The new policy could make this established practice difficult.
FICO strongly demanded that the Punjab Government reconsider the notification, permit flexible wage payment arrangements, allow documented cash advances and consult industrial associations before implementing such policies.
Gurmeet Singh Kular and Manjinder Singh Sachdeva appealed to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the Labour Minister to intervene immediately. They emphasised that FICO supports transparent and timely wage payments but strongly opposes unnecessary restrictions that create difficulties for both workers and employers. Workers' convenience and industrial growth must go hand in hand.
