Employers’ association moves Karnataka high court over minimum wage hike notification

Bengaluru: The high court Tuesday issued notices to state and central govts in response to a petition challenging the May 22 notification for effecting increase in minimum wages.

Justice Jyoti M posted the matter to June 9 for consideration of the interim prayer of stay sought by Karnataka Employers’ Association (KEA) and Ethereal Machines Private Limited, Bengaluru.

The petitioners claimed the authorities issued the notification despite restrictive orders passed by the high court in June-July last year. According to the petitioners, Section 69(1) of Payment of Wages Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Bonus Act and Equal Remuneration Act were repealed as on Nov 21, 2025, effectively taking away the concept of scheduled employment.

Despite the same, authorities issued the notification giving effect to what already stood repealed, the petitioners maintained.