Universal minimum wage for all industries and workers, including those getting monthly pay higher than ₹18,000, would soon be a reality, according to senior officials.

The proposed Code on Wages providing for these “pro-worker provisions” is likely to be placed before the Cabinet this month for approval so that it could be pushed for passage in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament, they said.

“The ministerial panel on labour issues headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has already approved the Code on Wages. It has already been sent to the law ministry for vetting after which it would be placed before the Cabinet for approval,” a source said.

The Labour Ministry is keen to push the Bill for passage in the next session of the Parliament expected to begin next month, he said.

The Wage Code Bill seeks to empower the Centre to set a minimum wage across all sectors in the country and states will have to maintain that. However, states will be able to provide for higher minimum wage in their jurisdiction than fixed by the Centre.