The new wage code is likely to be implemented soon as it has been approved. As per the changes in the new reform, the new salary structure will be implemented that will significantly impact the take-home salary of the employees.
The definition of’ wage’ in the New-Wage Code Bill is now changed. According to the new bill, wages or employees’ monthly basic salary cannot be less than 50% of the employees’ CTC. At present, the basic salary is between 30-40% of the gross salary. According to the new wage code, basic pay will be changed it will also impact the provident fund and gratuity. Furthermore, it means more contribution towards retirement and less take-home salary.
Let’s dive deeper into the New-Wage Code in India and understand how different will be the new salary structure will look like.
Also read: What is Gratuity? How to Calculate Gratuity from your salary?
What is the aim of the new wage code?
The changes in the wage code are passed in the parliament and are expected to be implemented soon. The changes are made in four labour codes, and they are as described below.
1. The Code on Wages, 2019
- The new wage code applies to organized as well as unorganized sectors.
- The changes under the new rules aim to regulate wages and bonuses of an employee across the sectors,
- The wage code bill aims to provide equal monthly remuneration to the employees performing similar kinds of work in all industries, trades or businesses.
2. The Code of Occupational Safety
Due to the code on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions, there will be regulations at all the establishments with 10 or more workers for the health and working conditions of the employees, including all the mines and docks.
3. The Code on Social Security
The code on Social Security 2020 consolidates laws related to social security and maternity benefits.
4. The Code on Industrial Relations
The Code on Industrial Relations, 2020 seeks to consolidate three labour laws to improve the country’s business environment and the industries’ labour compliance burden.
Components of CTC
To better understand the new salary structure, we need to understand some crucial components of the CTC.
Basic Salary
Basic pay is the fixed component of the salary, and other components are calculated based on it. The basic pay varies according to the industry, experience and the company the employee works in.
Allowances
Allowances refer to the extra benefits that a company provides to their employees for being part of the company. Allowances differ according to the designation of the employees. Allowances are also used to get at the round figure for the cost to the company.
HRA
HRA stands for house rent allowance provided to the employees for accommodation.
Gross Salary
The gross pay is the addition of the basic salary of the employees and the allowances provided by the company. This sum comes before removing the deductions. The gross salary also includes allowances such as bonuses, HRA, medical assistance, mobile bills and more.
Gratuity
Gratuity is an expression of the thanks from the company to employees for sticking with the firm longer than a period of 5 years. Some organizations include it as a component of cost to the company, but the employee is eligible to receive it only after completing five years.
Provident Fund
Provident Fund (PF) is the statutory investment that the employee makes for the retirement benefit. It applies to companies with more than 20 employees.
Take-Home Salary
Take-home salary is the amount employee receives after all deductions such as the provident fund, income tax, professional tax and medical insurance. The take-home salary is also referred to as the net salary payable or ‘in-hand’ salary.
Also read: What is CTC in Salary? Learn How to Calculate CTC from Basic Salary
Impact of the New-Wage Code on your Salary Components
Impact on Provident Fund (PF)
The Provident fund is calculated as a percentage of the basic salary. Previously this contribution was 12% of the basic salary. Under new rules, the basic salary of the employee should be at least 50% of the cost to the company, presently, it is between 30-40 % of the gross salary. That results in a bigger contribution toward the PF. After the increased provident fund deduction in the salary structure, an employee will be receiving a lesser take-home salary.
Impact on Taxes
According to the new rules, the Basic Salary which is the taxable component of the employees’ CTC will increase to 50 per cent. The taxes are also bound to increase with the significant increase in the basic salary. Under the new rules, the taxable part of HRA will also rise. The non-taxable part of HRA will be less than 50% and drop to around 20-25 per cent.
Gratuity
The calculation of the gratuity is also based on the employees’ basic salary and is likely to increase. Presently gratuity amount is given to an employee leaving the company after working for at least five years in the company. As per the New Wage Code, the employee is entitled to the gratuity amount if they worked for the same firm for as long as even a single year.
Impact Allowances
Since we know that according to the New Wage Code, the basic salary cannot be less than 50 per cent of the CTC that an employee receives, the allowances will be reduced. The basic salary of employees currently is 40 per cent of the Basic Salary. Many allowances are crucial components in the salary structure of the employees that form a significant portion of the total salary.
Allowances such as telephone charges, internet bills, HRA, newspaper, and travel allowances will be cut down. In the Wage Code 2022, the allowances cannot be more than 50% of the total CTC, as the basic salary should be at least 50% or more. That brings down allowances in your salary.
How does the new salary structure affect take-home salary?
The take-home salary of the employees in the higher-income bracket may change. The basic salary may be less than 50% of the total salary of the employees. While for employees in the lower-income bracket, the basic pay is often around 50% of the CTC.
That means if you are in the lower-income bracket, your per-month salary may stay unaffected, while if your salary is in the lower bracket, it is likely to affect your take-home salary.
Conclusion
Employees will make more contributions to the security and retirement benefits. As basic salary increases, this means more tax and lesser take-home salary.
