THE COAL MINES (FIXATION OF RATES OF WAGES) 
ORDINANCE, 1960 
(XXXIX of 1960) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Minimum rate of Wages 
4. Coal mine workers entitled to minimum wages 
5. Ordinance not to affect certain agreements, etc 
6. Provisions of this Ordinance to be in addition to and not in derogation of 
certain laws 
 
TEXT 
1
THE COAL MINES (FIXATION OF RATES OF WAGES) ORDINANCE, 1960 
(XXXIX of 1960) 
[30th September, 1960] 
An 
Ordinance 
to provide for the fixation of rates of wages in respect of labour employed in coal mines 
and for matters connected therewith. 
 WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the fixation of rates of wages in respect 
of labour employed in coal mines and for matters connected therewith. 
 NOW, THEREFORE , in pursuance of the proclamation of the seventh day of 
October, 1958, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President is 
pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:– 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Ordinance may be called the 
Coal Mines (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Ordinance, 1960. 
 (2) It extends to the whole of 
2
[Pakistan]. 
 (3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.– In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject 
or context,– 
(a) “coal mine” means any excavation where any operation for the purpose of 
searching for, or obtaining, coal or coke has been or is being carried on, 
and includes all works, machinery, tramways and sidings, whether above 
or below ground, in, or adjacent to, or belonging to, a coal mine: 
Provided that it shall not include any part of such premises on which a 
manufacturing process is being carried on unless such process is for the 
making of coke or the dressing of coal; 
(b) “owner” means owner of a coal mine and includes a lessee or mortgagee 
in possession of such coal mine and any partner,  managing director, 
director, agent, manager or any other person authorized to represent the 
coal mine in its transaction; 
(c) “wages” shall have the same meaning as are assigned to it in clause (vi) 
of section 2 of the Payment of Wages Act 1936 (IV of 1936). 
3. Minimum rate of Wages .– (1) The 
3
[Provincial Government] may, from time to 
time, by notification in the official Gazette, fix minimum rates of wages payable to 
persons employed in a coal mine. 
 (2) In fixing or revising the minimum rates of wages fixed under this 
Ordinance, the 
4
[Provincial Government] may, if it so considers necessary, consult the 
5
[Miners Welfare Board ] constituted under the 
6
[Excise Duty on Minerals (Labour 
Welfare) Act, 1967 (VIII of 1967)]. 
                                                 
1Published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 30th September 1960, p. 1947. 
2Substituted for the words  “West Pakistan” by  the Federal Adaptation o f Laws Order, 1975 (P.O. 4 of 1975); and published in 
Gazette of Pakistan, (Extraordinary), Part-I, dated 1.8.1975, pages 435-467, see Article 2(1) and Schedule. 
3Substituted for words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Law order, 1964 (P.O.  1 of 1964); and published in the 
Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 28.5.1964, pages 251c to 251 aao, Article 2 and Schedule. 
4Substituted for words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Law order, 1964 (P.O. 1 of 1964); and publi shed in the 
Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 28.5.1964, pages 251c to 251 aao, Article 2 and Schedule. 
5Substituted for the words “Advisory Committee”, by  the Federal Law (Revision and Declaration), 1981  (Ord. XXVII of 1981 ); and 
published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 8.7.1981, pages  345-475, s. 3 and Second Schedule. 
4. Coal mine workers entitled to minimum w ages.– On the issue of notification 
under section 3, every person employed in a coal mine shall be entitled to be paid by 
the owner wages at a rate which shall in no case be less than the rate of wages 
specified in the notification. 
5. Ordinance not to aff ect certain agreements, etc .– The provisions of the 
Ordinance shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith in any  
award, agreement or contract of  service, whether made before or after the 
commencement of this Ordinance: 
 Provided that where under any such award, agreemen t, or contract of service a 
person employed in a coal mine is entitled to higher rates of wages, he shall continue to 
be entitled to such higher rates. 
6. Provisions of this Ordinance to be in addition to and not in dero gation of 
certain laws .– The provisions of this Ordinance shall be in addition to, and not in 
derogation of , the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (IV of 1936),
7
[West 
Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 196 8 
(WP Ordinance No.VI of 1968), and the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969 (XXIII of 
1969)]. 
                                                                                                                                                             
6Substituted for the words “Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund A ct, 1947 (XXXII of 1947)” by the Federal Law (Revision and 
Declaration), 1981 ( Ordinance XXVII of 1981); and published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 8.7.1981, pages  
345-475, s. 3 and Second Schedule. 
7Substituted for original words, ibid.