Delhi Okays 37% Hike in Minimum Wage; Skilled Workers to Get 16 K

Delhi government on Saturday approved around 37 percent hike in the minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled persons in the national capital.

Announcing the Cabinet’s decision in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his government has cleared all recommendations of a 15-member committee set up by former Lt Governor Najeeb Jung last year to revise the minimum wages.

This is the second time the AAP government has approved an increase in the minimum wages.

The former LG had in September last year declared the recommendations of a government-appointed committee as “null and void”, saying the AAP dispensation did not seek his prior approval to form the panel.

Kejriwal said the committee’s recommendations will be sent to Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Monday and that he himself will meet the LG and request him to give his nod at the earliest so that workers are benefited.

As per the Cabinet’s decision, the minimum wages for unskilled persons will be Rs 13,350 per month against the existing Rs 9,724 per month. For semi-skilled and skilled persons, it will increase from Rs 10,764 to Rs 14,698 and from Rs 11,830 to Rs 16,182 per month respectively.

“I hope the L-G will clear them next week as we have followed all procedures. It will be the biggest gift for workers on the occasion of Holi,” the CM said at a press conference at his official residence in Civil Lines area.