To help workers in dealing with the rising cost of living, the Delhi government has declared a rise in the monthly wages of unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled labourers within the city. The new rates, effective from April 1, have been directed to be implemented by all employers by the labour minister Raaj Kumar Anand.
As per the revised rates, the monthly wages of skilled workers have been increased by Rs 546 to Rs 20,903, semi-skilled workers by Rs 494 to Rs 18,993, and unskilled workers by Rs 442 to Rs 17,234. The last revision of minimum wages was done in October 2022.
However, the move has been criticised by the opposition party, BJP and labour unions, who accused the ruling party AAP of increasing the minimum wage but failing to ensure its proper implementation by employers. Meanwhile, India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, has eased to 5.66 percent – the lowest in 15 months – due to a drop in food and fuel prices, but the annual figure remained high at 6.7 percent, the highest since 2013-14.
Additionally, the government has also raised the salaries of supervisors and clerical employees. The revised rates dictate that non-matric employees’ monthly salary has been increased by Rs 494 to Rs 18,993, matriculation pass and non-graduate employees’ monthly salary has been raised to Rs 20,903, and the monthly salary of graduate employees and labourers with higher educational qualifications has been increased by Rs 598 to Rs 22,744.
