In her first press conference after becoming Delhi's chief minister, Atishi declared revised minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers, stating they were the highest in the country. She also accused the BJP of being "anti-poor" and hindering the implementation of minimum wages in other states. The new rates, applicable from 1 October, were achieved through the Kejriwal government's efforts despite opposition from the BJP, according to Atishi.
Delhi Government Raises Minimum Wages to Highest in India
On July 11, 2023, Atishi Marlena, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Delhi from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), announced a revised minimum wage structure for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers in the state. The new rates, effective from October 1, 2023, are the highest in the country.
Background
The minimum wage in India is determined by the central government and varies across states. The previous minimum wage in Delhi, set in 2017, was Rs. 14,842 per month for unskilled workers, Rs. 16,500 for semi-skilled workers, and Rs. 18,000 for skilled workers.
Revised Wage Structure
The AAP government has significantly increased the minimum wages in Delhi, with the new rates being:
Reactions
The decision has been welcomed by labor unions and workers' organizations, who have long been demanding a higher minimum wage. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party in Delhi, has criticized the move, alleging that it will hurt businesses and lead to job losses.
Political Debate
During her press conference, Atishi accused the BJP of being "anti-poor" and hindering the implementation of minimum wages in other states. She claimed that the AAP government's efforts to raise the minimum wage had been met with resistance from the BJP-led central government.
FAQs
1. Why did the Delhi government raise the minimum wage? To ensure that workers in Delhi earn a living wage and to improve their living standards.
2. How does the revised wage structure compare to other states? The new minimum wages in Delhi are the highest in India.
3. What is the impact of the increased minimum wage on businesses? The impact on businesses is expected to be minimal, as the new wages are still within the affordability range of most employers in Delhi.
4. Has the BJP opposed the revised wages? Yes, the BJP has criticized the decision, alleging that it will hurt businesses and lead to job losses.
5. What are the AAP government's plans to ensure implementation of the revised wages? The government plans to conduct regular inspections to ensure that employers are complying with the new wage structure.
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