The Coal Mines (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Ordinance, 1960 (Ordinance No. XXXIX of 1960)

Updated: Sunday November 25, 2012/AlAhad Muharram 12, 1434/Ravivara Agrahayana 04, 1934, at 09:40:23 AM

The Coal Mines (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Ordinance, 1960

Ordinance No. XXXIX of 1960

30^th September, 1960

An Ordinance to provide for the fixation of rates of wages in respect of labour employed in coal mines and for matters connected therewith.

Whereas it is expedient to provide for the fixation of rates of wages in respect of labour employed in coal mines and for matters connected therewith.

Now, therefore, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the seventh day of October, 1958, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:---

1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Ordinance may be called the Coal Mines (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Ordinance, 1960.

(2) It extends to the whole of West Pakistan.

(3) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions:- In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,---

(a) “ coal mine “ means any excavation where any operation for the purpose of searching for, or obtaining, coal or coke has been or is being carried on, and includes all works, machinery, tramways and sidings, whether above or below ground, in, or adjacent to, or belonging to, a coal mine:---

Provided that it shall not include any part of such premises on which a manufacturing process is being carried on unless such process is for the making of coke or the dressing of coal;

(b) “owner” means owner of a coal mine and includes a lessee or mortgagee in possession of such coal mine and any partner, managing director, director, agent, manager or any other person authorized to represent the coal mine in its transactions ;

(c) “wages” shall have the same meaning as are assigned to it in clause (vi) of section 2 of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936.

3. Minimum rates of wages.- (1) The Provincial Government may, from time to time, by notification in the official Gazette, fix minimum rates of wages payable to persons employed in a coal mine.

(2) In fixing or revising the minimum rates of wages fixed under this Ordinance, the Provincial Government may, if it so considers necessary, consult the Advisory Committee constituted under the Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1947.

4. Coal mine workers entitled to minimum wages.- On the issue of a notification under section 3, every person employed in a coal mine shall be entitled to be paid by the owner wages at a rate which shall in no case be less than the rate of wages specified in the notification.

5. Ordinance not to affect certain agreements, etc.- The provisions of this Ordinance shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith in any award, agreement or contract of service, whether made before or after the commencement of this Ordinance:---

Provided that where under any such award, agreement, or contract of service a person employed in a coal mine is entitled to higher rates of wages, he shall continue to be entitled to such higher rates.

6. Provisions of this Ordinance to be in addition to and not in derogation of certain laws.- The provisions of this Ordinance shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Industrial Disputes Ordinance, 1959, and the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1960.