Explanation:

The issue is frequently in news due to protests and strikes on minimum wages and contract labour such as ASHAs. Under The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 both Central and state governments are “Appropriate Governments” for fixation/revision of minimum rates of wages for employments covered by the Schedule to the Act. Under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970:

• The Central and state governments are empowered to prohibit employment of contract labour in any activity in an establishment.
• The Act contains specific provisions to ensure payment of wages and certain amenities to be provided by the contractor to the contract labour.