Employer Not Paying Wages
Your employer is delaying or withholding your salary.
What this generally means
Employers are legally required to pay wages within a defined period, and delays without valid reason can be reported to labour authorities.
Your journey
You Are Here
You're trying to understand what to do about unpaid wages. That's a good first step.
Understand Issue
Read through what this situation generally means and what your options are.
Gather Documents
Collect the evidence and paperwork that will support your case.
Contact Resource
Reach out to the most relevant authority, helpline, or legal aid service.
Escalate If Needed
If the first contact doesn't resolve things, escalate to a higher forum or authority.
Follow Up
Track your complaint's status and keep records of every response you receive.
Common next steps
- 1Send a written reminder to your employer citing the unpaid amount.
- 2Check your state's wage payment timeline rules.
- 3File a complaint on the Shram Suvidha Portal or with the Labour Commissioner.
- 4Consult a wage recovery legal aid clinic for larger unpaid amounts.
Useful documents
- Employment contract or offer letter
- Payslips or salary statements
- Bank statement showing missed payments
- Written reminders sent
Relevant authorities
- Labour Commissioner's Office
- Shram Suvidha Portal
Frequently asked questions
How long can an employer delay wages?+
Wage payment timelines are regulated by law and generally require timely payment — prolonged delays without reason can be reported.
What if I've already resigned?+
You're still entitled to any unpaid wages owed for work completed, including full and final settlement dues.
Verified resources
Shram Suvidha Portal
Central Ministry of Labour & Employment portal for filing labour law compliance complaints against employers.
District Legal Services Authority (Wage Cases)
Free legal support for recovering unpaid wages and severance dues, via NALSA's district network.
NALSA Toll-Free Legal Aid (15100)
Free legal aid and advice helpline covering all areas of civil and criminal law, via a custom IVR system in 10 languages.