The Delhi government has raised the minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers in the city, aiming to provide relief from inflation, according to officials familiar with the matter on Thursday.
Under the new rates effective from October 1, skilled workers will now receive ₹21,215 per month, marking a ₹312 increase, while semi-skilled workers will get ₹19,279 per month, reflecting a ₹286 rise. Unskilled laborers will now earn ₹17,494 per month, up from ₹17,234. The per day wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers have been adjusted to ₹673, ₹742, and ₹816, respectively.
Labour minister Raaj Kumar Anand emphasized that Delhi now boasts the highest minimum wage in the country. He stated that the decision would benefit workers in all scheduled employment categories, urging the extension of dearness allowance to those in the unorganized sector, similar to state and central government employees.
Secretary of the Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union, Thaneshwar Dayal Adigaur, expressed dissatisfaction with the wage hike, citing the prevailing inflation rate and the widespread failure of organizations and employers to comply with the government’s minimum wage standards. He urged the government to enforce the payment of minimum wages to ensure the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Kejriwal government of not providing its workers with the minimum wage. BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor highlighted the plight of contractual employees in Delhi government and MCD offices, emphasizing the need for the government to improve awareness about workers’ rights and social security schemes.
