Kejriwal Govt Raises Minimum Monthly Wages Of Unskilled, Skilled Labourers In Delhi

“The monthly wage has been increased from Rs 16,064 to Rs 16,506 for unskilled workers and from Rs 17,693 to Rs 18,187 for semi-skilled ones,” the statement said.

New Delhi: In view of the high rate of inflation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has hiked the minimum monthly wages of unskilled and skilled labourers by Rs 450-Rs 550 in Delhi. The increased minimum wages for labourers will be applicable from April 1, an official statement on Friday said, PTI reported. The official statement said the hike in minimum wages for labourers has been done in view of the increase in dearness allowance for the government employees.

“The monthly wage has been increased from Rs 16,064 to Rs 16,506 for unskilled workers and from Rs 17,693 to Rs 18,187 for semi-skilled ones,” the statement said.

“For skilled labourers, the minimum wage has been increased from Rs 19,473 to Rs 20,019 a month,” the statement added.

The statement further said the minimum monthly wage for non-matriculated workers has been increased from Rs 17,693 to Rs 18,187 and from Rs 19,473 to Rs 20,019 for matriculate employees.

The statement added the monthly wage has been hiked from Rs 21,184 to Rs 21,756 for graduates and those with higher educational qualifications.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the “hike in minimum wages will give respite to the labour class facing back-breaking inflation”.

“The Delhi government is paying the highest rates of minimum wages in the entire country,” he added, according to the news agency.

In a bid to provide relief to the workers from the Covid-19 pandemic and price rise, the Delhi government had last revised the minimum wages earlier in November 2021.

Asserting that the wage revision was a big step taken amid rising inflation, Sisodia said: “This step has been taken in the interest of the poor and the working class, who have suffered disproportionately due to the current pandemic.”

“The hike will also benefit those in clerical and supervisory jobs,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister further said that people employed on minimum wages in the unorganised sector should also get the benefits of the dearness allowances, which are usually offered to the state and central government employees.

Sisodia said the minimum wages in Delhi are the highest in comparison to any other state, adding the Delhi government is constantly revising the dearness allowance every six months to provide respite to all workers of the national capital from inflation.