New Delhi, Sep 25 (FN Bureau) The Delhi Government on Wednesday announced an increase in the minimum wages for unskilled to Rs 18,066, semiskilled workers to Rs 19,929 and skilled workers to Rs 21,917, with new rates effective from October 1. The decision assumed significance in the wake of the Delhi assembly elections slated for early next year. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party could be targeting workers from Bihar, UP, and other states settled in the Union Territory. Addressing the media, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said that the government has once again decided to increase the minimum wage in Delhi adding, “With the new rates effective from 1 October, the minimum wage for unskilled workers has increased to Rs 18,066, for semi-skilled workers to Rs 19,929 and skilled workers to Rs 21,917.”
“In 2013, the minimum wages for unskilled workers were Rs 7,722, for semiskilled workers were Rs 8,528 and for skilled workers were Rs 9,388,” she said. Comparing the minimum wages of Delhi with other states, Atishi said, “Minimum wages for unskilled labour is Rs 8,063 in Rajasthan, Rs 10,000 in Madhya Pradesh, Rs 8,300 in Uttar Pradesh, Rs 10,000 in Haryana, Rs 10,900 in Chattisgarh and in Bihar it is Rs 10,600. The national capital has the highest minimum wages in the entire country, she added. “On one hand, there are BJP-ruled states where the minimum wage is half that of Delhi.
On the other hand, there is Arvind Kejriwal where the government takes every necessary step to provide a respectable life to the common man,” Atishi claimed. “Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party have done wonderful work on issues ranging from education-health, electricity-water to minimum wages,” she said, alleging that when Kejriwal tried to increase the minimum wage in 2016-17, BJP stopped it through its LG. “But Kejriwal got it implemented by getting an order from the court and also made a provision that just like Dearness Allowance is charged twice a year to government employees, in the same manner, Minimum Wages should be increased twice,” Atishi added.