THE PABBOJAN TEA CO. LTD., ETC. vs THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, LAKHIMPUR, ETC.

The Supreme Court held that the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, does not bar civil court jurisdiction regarding disputes over employee classification and wage payments. Specifically, the Court found that 'Lettera Challan' workers do not qualify as 'ordinary unskilled labour' under Section 20(3) of the Act, as they do not perform a full day's work. The Court concluded that the Act is not a complete code and does not exclude civil court jurisdiction, allowing the appeals of the employers against the authority's orders.