Under Section 45(6) of the Code on Wages, 2019, an application before the designated authority for recovery of wage-related claims (such as unpaid wages, bonus, or unauthorised deductions) may ordinarily be filed within a period of:

Section 45(6) of the Code on Wages, 2019 provides that an application before the authority appointed under Section 45(1) for adjudicating wage-related claims may be filed within a period of three years from the date on which the claim arises, with a proviso permitting the authority to entertain applications beyond this period on sufficient cause being shown for the delay. This represents a substantial enhancement and harmonisation compared to the fragmented limitation periods that existed under the erstwhile Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (six months to two years, extendable), the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. The authority, upon deciding such a claim, may also order payment of compensation in addition to the amount determined, providing a further deterrent against employer non-compliance with wage obligations.