Ask a factory worker in Faisalabad what he earns and then ask him what the law says he should earn. The two answers are often very different, and the gap between them is exactly why this page exists.
Search for Punjab minimum wage today and half the results are about Indian Punjab, which helps nobody in Lahore or Multan. So here is the Pakistan Punjab position, plain and simple: the current legal rate, why neighbouring governments moved and Punjab did not, and what a worker can actually do when the pay packet comes up short.
What Is the Punjab Minimum Wage Right Now
The minimum wage in Punjab is Rs 40,000 per month. That rate has been in force since July 1, 2025, and at the time of writing it is still the legal floor for full time workers in the province. In short, the Punjab minimum wage today stands at Rs 40,000 a month.
No, it did not go up this year. That is the single most asked question, so let us answer it first and clearly. When the new financial year started in July 2026, Punjab issued no fresh notification raising the rate. The Rs 40,000 figure from last year simply carried on.
Why Sindh and Islamabad Workers Got a Raise
This is where the confusion starts, because the news from other parts of Pakistan is real. In August 2026 the federal administration raised the minimum wage for Islamabad to Rs 40,700 a month, and Sindh notified Rs 43,000 a month. Both notifications are genuine.
But a Sindh notification does not pay a Gujranwala worker. Wages are a provincial subject, and each government sets its own rate for its own territory. Punjab has not matched those increases yet. If your employer shows you a Karachi headline to explain your salary, or a fellow worker insists the rate is now 43,000 everywhere, both are mixing up provinces.
What About the Rs 45,000 Figure
The Rs 45,000 figure floating around social media? That was a research institute’s budget proposal, a recommendation on paper. It was never notified, so it is not the law and no employer owes it. The Punjab minimum wage stays at Rs 40,000 until a new notification says otherwise.
Daily Rates Workers Hear About
Daily wage earners on government projects work to a separate schedule of rates, and reports for July to December 2026 put them at about Rs 1,538 a day for unskilled work, Rs 1,560 for semi skilled work and Rs 2,000 for skilled trades. Treat those as reported rates until you see the notification for your own project, because project schedules change and contractors quote them loosely. These daily figures sit alongside the monthly Punjab minimum wage, not in place of it.
Workers who reach retirement age should also know about the pension side of the system, which our EOBI pension guide covers in detail.
What To Do If You Are Paid Less
First, know your number. If you are a full time monthly worker in Punjab and your salary is below Rs 40,000, your employer is breaking the law, whatever excuse is offered. Keep your pay slips, your attendance record, anything with your name and the amount on it. Paper wins arguments. Comparing your pay with the Punjab minimum wage is the first step.
Complaints about wages go to the Labour and Human Resource Department of Punjab, through your district labour office. Their official website is labour.punjab.gov.pk. Go with your documents, state your monthly pay and your employer’s name, and ask for the complaint to be recorded. A recorded complaint is much harder to ignore than a verbal one.
Punjab Minimum Wage FAQs
What is the minimum wage in Punjab?
Rs 40,000 per month. It has been the legal rate since July 1, 2025 and no new increase has been notified for this year.
Did Punjab raise the minimum wage in 2026?
No. Islamabad moved to Rs 40,700 and Sindh to Rs 43,000 in August 2026, but Punjab issued no new notification.
Is the minimum wage Rs 45,000 now?
No. Rs 45,000 was only a proposal in budget research. The legal rate in Punjab stays Rs 40,000 until the government notifies a change.
What is the daily wage rate in Punjab?
Government project schedules reportedly run about Rs 1,538 a day for unskilled, Rs 1,560 for semi skilled and Rs 2,000 for skilled work. Confirm the rate on your own project’s notification.
Where do I complain about low pay?
At your district labour office under the Punjab Labour and Human Resource Department. Take your pay slips and ask for your complaint to be recorded.
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