Kohima: The Nagaland government is overhauling its minimum wage structure. Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang confirmed the move during a Nagaland Legislative Assembly session on Thursday. Officials are targeting pay bumps for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled employees. This shift follows a July 9, 2024, recommendation from the Nagaland State Human Rights Commission.
Proposed daily rates sit at Rs 297 for unskilled labor, Rs 355 for semi-skilled, Rs 400 for skilled, and Rs 450 for highly skilled staff. These figures come from a March 12, 2025, State Advisory Board meeting. The current 2019 rates are far lower. Unskilled workers earn Rs 176 per day. That nets just Rs 5,280 monthly. Lawmakers want a change.
NPP member Nuklutoshi challenged the current pay scale during the floor debate. He compared Nagaland to neighboring states like Assam and Meghalaya. Meghalaya pays unskilled workers Rs 402 daily, which dwarfs the local rate. Nuklutoshi pressed for urgent action to match regional inflation. He told the House: "Nagaland’s minimum wages remained considerably lower than those in neighbouring northeastern States and were inadequate in view of the rising cost of living."
Government bureaucracy has slowed the process. The Law and Justice Department vetted the plan in May 2025. Finance signed off in June 2025. A Cabinet review on March 23, 2026, stalled the progress, demanding another look at the numbers. Zeliang says the Finance Department recently reiterated its previous stance. The proposal now awaits final Cabinet approval. Zeliang promised to settle the matter as soon as possible.
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