In a significant move to provide relief from inflation, the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Atishi, has announced an increase in the minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers in the Capital. This change, effective from October 1, will see monthly wages rise to support workers as they approach the festive season.
The new wage rates reveal an increase in the monthly salary of unskilled workers from ₹17,494 to ₹18,066, while semi-skilled workers will see their pay rise from ₹19,279 to ₹19,929. Skilled workers will benefit from an increase in their monthly wages from ₹21,215 to ₹21,917.
Atishi took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the new wage rates, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving the lives of workers. “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’s Delhi, where the government takes every necessary step to give a respectable life to the common man,” she stated.
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the wage increase, labeling it as a political gimmick ahead of the Delhi assembly elections. BJP leader and MP Yogendra Chandolia dismissed the announcement as insincere, asserting that the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are failing to ensure minimum wages for thousands of contract workers. “Corruption in the Delhi government and MCD is a result of deep collusion between contractors and the government,” he claimed.
During a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Atishi emphasized that Delhi now boasts the highest minimum wage in the country. “The people who receive minimum wages are from the poor class; they are laborers. To stop their exploitation, the Delhi government has worked to take the minimum wage to a historic level,” she said, asserting that the BJP has historically worked against the interests of the poor. She also accused the BJP of hindering previous efforts to increase minimum wages in 2016-17.
Labour Minister Mukesh Ahlawat joined Atishi at the press conference, reaffirming the government’s dedication to protecting the rights and livelihoods of workers in Delhi.
As the festive season approaches, the wage increase is expected to provide much-needed financial support to many families across the city, while the political implications of this decision continue to unfold in the lead-up to the elections.
Sources By Agencies
