Ahead of Diwali, the Delhi government has raised the minimum wages of unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers, with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia saying it will be a relief from inflation for them. Adjusted monthly wages will be valid from October 1.
The wages of unskilled workers will be increased from Rs 16,506 to Rs 16,792, of semi-skilled workers from Rs 18,187 to Rs 18,499 and of skilled workers from Rs 20,019 to Rs 20,357, a statement issued by the Delhi government said. Earlier in May, the city government raised the minimum wage.
“The hike in minimum wages will provide relief to the working class, which is suffering from the adverse effects of inflation,” Sisodia said, claiming that the Delhi government was paying the “highest minimum wages” to workers in the country.
This move will benefit unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and other workers in all scheduled job categories of the Delhi government. Those working in clerical and supervisory roles will also benefit, he said.
The deputy minister said that people employed on minimum wages in the unorganized sector should also get dependents’ benefits, which are usually offered to state and central government employees.
The minimum wage rates for managers and administrative cadres of employees were also revised. The monthly wages of non-matriculation employees increased from Rs 18,187 to Rs 18,499 and for matriculation employees from Rs 20,019 to Rs 20,357.
For graduates and higher education holders, the monthly wages have been increased from Rs 21,756 to Rs 22,146, the statement said. “Minimum wages in Delhi are highest compared to other states,” Sisodia said.
The Delhi government revises the poverty allowance every six months to provide inflation relief to all workers in Delhi, he said.