The Delhi government on Saturday approved a recommendation to revise minimum wages by around 37% for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers in the Capital.
Calling it a ‘Holi bonanza’ for the city’s labourers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the idea is to put money directly into the pockets of the poor.
Timing of announcement
The timing of the announcement assumes significance as the civic poll are scheduled for April and the model code of conduct may come into force by the middle of March.
The CM, however, said that the approval has “nothing to do with the elections”.
Mr. Kejriwal added that the panel’s recommendations will be sent to L-G Anil Baijal on Monday and that he himself will meet the L-G and request him to give his nod at the earliest so that workers are benefited.
Mr. Kejriwal said his government has cleared all recommendations of a 15-member committee set up by former Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung last year to revise the minimum wages.
Second attempt
This is the second time the AAP government has approved an increase in the minimum wages.
Mr. Jung had in September last year declared the recommendation of a government-appointed committee as “null and void”, saying the AAP dispensation did not seek his prior approval to form the panel. The Delhi government had recommended a 50% hike in minimum wages at the time.
The government has proposed to increase the minimum wages of unskilled workers from ₹9,724 to ₹13,350 per month; of semi-skilled workers from ₹10,764 to ₹14,698 per month; and of skilled workers from ₹11,830 to ₹16,182 per month, said the CM.
