Under the Code on Wages, 2019, where an employee's services are terminated by the employer (including by retrenchment), the wages payable to such employee must be paid within what period?

Section 17 of the Code on Wages, 2019 prescribes the time limits for payment of wages. As a general rule, the employer must fix the wage period and pay wages by the prescribed deadline depending on the wage period — for instance, daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly, with monthly wages payable before the expiry of the seventh day of the succeeding month. However, where an employee is removed, dismissed, retrenched, or resigns, or where the establishment is closed, the wages must be paid within two working days of such removal, dismissal, retrenchment or resignation. This ensures that an employee leaving service is not made to wait for the ordinary wage cycle to receive earned wages.