minimum wages of unemployed, skilled labourers increased by 450 --550

The Delhi government has hiked minimum monthly wages of unemployed and skilled labourers by 450 -- 550 as a result of the high inflation rate, according to an official statement on Friday.

The minimum wages for labourers will be applicable from April 1, it said.

The labour class facing back-breaking inflation will be given respite by the hike in minimum wages. The Delhi government is paying the highest minimum wages in the country, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

The statement said that the hike in minimum wages for labourers was due to the increase in the dearness allowance for government employees.

The month's wages have been increased from Rs 16,064 to Rs 16,506 for unskilled workers and from Rs 17,693 to Rs 18,187 for semi-skilled workers. The minimum wage has been increased from Rs 19,473 to Rs 20,019 a month, it said.

The minimum minimum wage for non-matriculated workers has been raised from Rs 17,693 to Rs 18,187 and for matriculate employees has been increased from Rs 19,473 to Rs 20,019. The monthly wage has been raised from Rs 21,184 to Rs 21,756, according to the statement.

The minimum wages were revised by the Delhi government in November 2021 to provide relief to the workers from the COVID-19 pandemic and price rise.

Sisodia said that the wage revision was a big step in response to rising inflation.

This step was taken in the interest of the poor and the working class, who have suffered disproportionately due to the current pandemic. He said that the hike will also benefit those in clerical and supervisory positions.

Sisodia said that people who are employed on minimum wages in the unorganised sector should also get the benefits of the dearness allowances, which are usually offered to state and central government employees.

The minimum wages in Delhi are the highest in comparison to any other state. He added that the Delhi government is constantly revising the dearness allowance every six months to give workers of Delhi respite from inflation.