Minimum wageSixth componentSupreme Court of India

Workmen of Reptakos Brett & Co. v Reptakos Brett & Co.

(1992) 1 Supreme Court Cases 290 / AIR 1992 Supreme Court 50419921 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
Workers of Reptakos Brett & Co. demanded revision of minimum wage. Argued the four norms fixed by the 15th Indian Labour Conference (1957) were inadequate: 15th ILC norms: food, clothing, housing, fuel/lighting for a standard working-class family (3 consumption units)
Issue
Whether minimum wage fixation must include children's education, medical requirements, and recreation in addition to the 15th ILC's four basic norms.
Held
The 15th ILC norms are the floor, not the ceiling.
Principle
Minimum wage must include a sixth component (25% addition) for children's education, medical needs, and recreation beyond the four norms of the 15th Indian Labour Conference.
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Facts

  • Workers of Reptakos Brett & Co. demanded revision of minimum wage
  • Argued the four norms fixed by the 15th Indian Labour Conference (1957) were inadequate:
  • 15th ILC norms: food, clothing, housing, fuel/lighting for a standard working-class family (3 consumption units)
  • Workers demanded inclusion of:
  • Children's education
  • Medical requirements

Issue

  1. Whether minimum wage fixation must include children's education, medical requirements, and recreation in addition to the 15th ILC's four basic norms.

Held

  • The 15th ILC norms are the floor, not the ceiling
  • Minimum wage must include a 25% addition (the "sixth component") over the four norms to cover:
  • Children's education
  • Medical needs
  • Minimum recreation and contingencies

Ratio decidendi

Minimum wage must include a 25% addition over the 15th ILC's four norms (food, clothing, housing, fuel/lighting) to account for children's education, medical requirements, and minimum recreation. The 15th ILC norms represent bare subsistence and are not exhaustive.

Exam use

How to use it in an answer

  • Authority for "25% addition" or "sixth component" in minimum wage computation
  • Always cite when asked about composition/components of minimum wage
  • The Hindu (2023): Karnataka government ordered to re-calculate minimum wages following Reptakos norms, showing the case remains binding
  • Key line: "The Supreme Court in Reptakos Brett (1992) held that minimum wage must include a 25% addition over the 15th ILC norms for children's education, medical needs, and recreation."

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Citation

Workmen of Reptakos Brett & Co. v. Reptakos Brett & Co. (1992) 1 Supreme Court Cases 290 / AIR 1992 Supreme Court 504

Reported: (1992) 1 SCC 290. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.