Section 18 of the Code on Wages, 2019: Deductions Which May Be Made from Wages

18. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, there shall be no deductions from the wages of the employee, except those as are authorised under this Code.

Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-section,-

(a) any payment made by an employee to the employer or his agent shall be deemed to be a deduction from his wages;

(b) any loss of wages to an employee, for a good and sufficient cause, resulting from-

(i) the withholding of increment or promotion, including the stoppage of an increment; or

(ii) the reduction to a lower post or time-scale; or

(iii) the suspension,

shall not be deemed to be a deduction from wages in a case where the provisions made by the employer for such purposes are satisfying the requirements specified in the notification issued by the appropriate Government in this behalf.

(2) Deductions from the wages of an employee shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Code, and may be made only for the following purposes, namely:-

(a) fines imposed on him;

(b) deductions for his absence from duty;

(c) deductions for damage to or loss of goods expressly entrusted to the employee for custody; or for loss of money for which he is required to account, where such damage or loss is directly attributable to his neglect or default;

(d) deductions for house-accommodation supplied by the employer or by appropriate Government or any housing board set up under any law for the time being in force, whether the Government or such board is the employer or not, or any other authority engaged in the business of subsidising house-accommodation which may be specified in this behalf by the appropriate Government by notification;

(e) deductions for such amenities and services supplied by the employer as the appropriate Government or any officer specified by it in this behalf may, by general or special order, authorise and such deduction shall not exceed an amount equivalent to the value of such amenities and services.

Explanation.- For the purposes of this clause, the expression "services" does not include the supply of tools and raw materials required for the purposes of employment;

(f) deductions for recovery of-

(i) advances of whatever nature (including advances for travelling allowance or conveyance allowance), and the interest due in respect thereof, or for adjustment of overpayment of wages;

(ii) loans made from any fund constituted for the welfare of labour, as may be prescribed by the appropriate Government, and the interest due in respect thereof;

(g) deductions for recovery of loans granted for house-building or other purposes approved by the appropriate Government and the interest due in respect thereof;

(h) deductions of income-tax or any other statutory levy levied by the Central Government or State Government and payable by the employee or deductions required to be made by order of a court or other authority competent to make such order;

(i) deductions for subscription to, and for repayment of advances from any social security fund or scheme constituted by law including provident fund or pension fund or health insurance scheme or fund known by any other name;

(j) deductions for payment of co-operative society subject to such conditions as the appropriate Government may impose;

(k) deductions made, with the written authorisation of the employee, for payment of the fees and contribution payable by him for the membership of any Trade Union registered under the Trade Unions Act, 1926;

(l) deductions for recovery of losses sustained by the railway administration on account of acceptance by the employee of counterfeit or base coins or mutilated or forged currency notes;

(m) deductions for recovery of losses sustained by the railway administration on account of the failure of the employee to invoice, to bill, to collect or to account for the appropriate charges due to the railway administration whether in respect of fares, freight, demurrage, wharfage and cranage or in respect of sale of food in catering establishments or in respect of commodities in grain shops or otherwise;

(n) deductions for recovery of losses sustained by the railway administration on account of any rebates or refunds incorrectly granted by the employee where such loss is directly attributable to his neglect or default;

(o) deductions, made with the written authorisation of the employee, for contribution to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund or to such other fund as the Central Government may, by notification, specify.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Code and subject to the provisions of any other law for the time being in force, the total amount of deductions which may be made under sub-section (2) in any wage period from the wages of an employee shall not exceed fifty per cent. of such wages.

(4) Where the total deductions authorised under sub-section (2) exceed fifty per cent. of the wages, the excess may be recovered in such manner, as may be prescribed.

(5) Where any deduction is made by the employer from the wages of an employee under this section but not deposited in the account of the trust or Government fund or any other account, as required under the provisions of the law for the time being in force, such employee shall not be held responsible for such default of the employer.