As the advancement towards various sectors such as technology, business growth, manufacturing, and education are being made, giving what the workers rightly deserve is equally crucial. The allocated minimum salary in Pakistan saves the country’s various fields from facing setbacks, injustice, and demotivation.
According to the 2022-2023 salary budgeting, the minimum wage was set to PKR 25000 per month as issued by the financial division of the provincial government. However, a significant hike of PKR 7000 is observed in the 2023-2024 budget, imposed by the Federal Government of Pakistan. This wage revision is brought to the limelight to ensure a better lifestyle for the workers.
What is the Minimum Salary in Pakistan?
The minimum wage refers to the least amount of pay that should be given to the employees by the employers. The minimum wage rates in Pakistan had been fixed to PKR 37000, applicable to entry-level or mid-career professionals. This faithfulness is implied by the country’s government, which makes it mandatory for the employee not to pay the eligible workers less than the declared amount.
In case of providing less than the mentioned financial figure against the work being done by the labor, it can be reported and taken care of by law officials.
Minimum Wage Variations Across Pakistan
The law is passed upon the skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers, protecting unskilled workers salary in Pakistan. This brings the difference in payment for each category. Whereas, the stipend for any field should not be any less than the established amount by the legislature. This is valid for every person who is employed across industrial as well as commercial sectors.
As per exercising the law, the minimum stipend is revised in each province of Pakistan including, Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and KPK. PKR 32,000 is the proposed amount that should be given against 26 working days to each employed unskilled and young worker.
Factors Affecting Average Salaries in Pakistan
Although the Pakistan minimum wage is fixed, the range of salaries taken by individuals across the country is quite wide. The more degrees you hold, the more you tend to earn. However, if you are investing years of hard work in the same field, you will enjoy the pleasure of getting paid extra cash. Organizations prefer employees with a better or exceptional understanding of their work so they can receive significant value from the firm. Trends like these impact the whole community, influencing their lifestyles in some way or another. Some of the major factors we observed that are making a big difference in Wages in Pakistan are:
- Minimum Salary Based on Industry,
- Minimum Salary based on Education
- Minimum Salary Based on Experience
Minimum Salary Based on Industry:
Industry |
Minimum Salary |
Health Care |
90k – 100k |
Teacher |
40k – 60k |
Police Officer |
35k – 50k (Based on rank) |
Technician |
25k – 30k |
Project Manager |
100k – 120k |
Minimum Salary Based on Education:
Pakistan doesn’t have a universally applied minimum wage based solely on education level. Here’s what we can say:
- Certificate/Diploma: Minimum wage might apply depending on the field/industry and province. You’ll need to research the specific province and industry as per your residence.
- Bachelor’s Degree & Above: These qualifications usually lead to positions exceeding minimum wage.
Minimum Salary Based on Experience
- Entry-level (0-3 years): This class typically has the least average salary. You may see figures that range from PKR 25,000 to PKR 50,000 per month, depending on the industry and qualifications.
- Mid-career (3-7 years): With experience, salaries begin to rise. You can expect to earn between PKR 50,000 and PKR 100,000 per month, depending on your field and skills.
- Senior-level (7+ years): Salaries are at their highest. Average monthly salaries may exceed PKR 100,000, with some specialized fields paying even more.
Difference Between Living Wage and Minimum Wage In Pakistan
The living wage is generally determined by the amount of payment received that covers all the necessities of a worker’s living. Keeping the spending and savings balanced is essential to getting the amount required to maintain a lifestyle. This Contribute to various categories like Food, Childcare, Healthcare, residency, conveyance, miscellaneous items like taxes etc.
At the same time, the minimum salary in Pakistan is the allocated amount of wage, suggested by the government. This needs to be followed by every sector to protect the rights of skilled and unskilled workers.
Your Rights and Employer Obligations
Declaring a rise in minimum salary in Pakistan is an initiative towards the betterment of the economic pool of Pakistan. This way, the need for day-to-day expenses of the labor are met, encouraging them to stay motivated and fulfill their duties at the workplace efficiently. It has become a social responsibility for employers to pay no less than the proposed amount. Along with this, this is the Pakistan worker’s right of every employee to demand a deserving salary based on the qualifications they have, the experience they possess, and the industry they work in.
Employee Rights
To ensure the rights of every worker no matter which sector they work for, this initiative by the government proved to be effective. This enables the workplace free from different partial while providing deserving wages. Taking care of the needs of the workers contributes to a healthy work environment. This includes allowing paid leaves to the workers and maintaining sound surroundings for them to work in. Some of the main employee rights are:
- Minimum Wage
- Non-discrimination
- Safe Working Conditions
- Paid Leave
- Maximum Working Hours
Employer Obligations
If organizations and businesses want to flourish in their purpose, keeping their workforce satisfied should be their priority. As the employees are the backbone of any firm, all of their rights must be fulfilled and should not be compromised at all. The employment law of Pakistan brought various aspects for the employers that needed to be covered. Whether it’s the basic monthly income of the employee or the paid leaves they need, the employers must abide by the enforced lawful rules and regulations. If not followed, results in punishment.
Below are a few aspects that employers are obliged to follow:
- Compliance with Labor Laws
- Payment of Wages
- Social Security Contributions
- Written Employment Contract
- Record Keeping
Tips for Negotiation and Staying Informed
Asking for what you deserve is the legal right of every worker. Therefore, before going for an interview, you must go through these strategies that can help you achieve your desired income.
- Be confident about what you have presented in the interview and assess if the situation is more inclined in your favor or not. Once you are sure that they are satisfied with your interview, you can ask for your demanded salary and be firm over it.
- You can put in words for a bit higher salary than you expected and a much bigger amount than your last drawn income. If you are going for multiple companies, that would be a plus for you. You can demand a salary as per your value.
- If you possess experience in your field, you deserve to get your desired income. Make use of this experience and convince them that you are asking for what you are capable of.
- Be consistent by discussing confidently and putting your points forward. It may take a while for them to decide.
Final Words
Vista Outsourcing has covered the concept of minimum wage in Pakistan in detail. Concluding all that has been discussed above, it is declared that the government of Pakistan took efficient steps to maintain the socio-economic position of the country. However, some challenges come along the way and demand attention. This makes it crucial to keep a balance between the income of employees and the employer’s affordability.
Apart from this, this measure introduced uniform implementation across different sectors and areas of Pakistan, saving people from injustice and exploitation. This guarantees a bright future for Pakistan’s economic growth and establishments.
Any query? Do visit our Contact us Page