Delhi laborers get 33% wage hike

The Delhi Cabinet on Monday approved the minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers by almost 33 per cent. The new wage structure will also cover clerical and non-technical supervisory workers working on the daily wage system. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, "The new wages will ensure that the workers are paid `satisfactory wages'." She claimed that minimum wages in Delhi are now the "highest in the country".

While the daily wage of unskilled workers has been increased from Rs 163 to Rs 203, the semi- skilled workers will now be paid Rs 248 instead of the previous wage of Rs 225.

"An unskilled laborer will now get Rs 5,272 per month whereas the semi-skilled laborer can take home at least Rs 5,850 per month. A skilled laborer is now entitled to minimum wages of Rs 6,448 per month," a senior Delhi government official said.

The non-technical supervisory and clerical staff are also entitled for hiked salaries.

"A graduate can now earn Rs 7,020 per month while a matriculate can take home Rs 6,448 every month," the official said.

The Delhi Cabinet also decided to set up Legal Service Authorities in each of the nine districts. Each district authority will consist of a District Judge as its chairman. The Cabinet had earlier sanctioned nine secretaries at the District Legal Services Authorities along with the ancillary staff. 

The Delhi Cabinet on Monday approved the minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers by almost 33 per cent.
The new wage structure will also cover clerical and non-technical supervisory workers working on the daily wage system.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, "The new wages will ensure that the workers are paid `satisfactory wages'." She claimed that minimum wages in Delhi are now the "highest in the country".

While the daily wage of unskilled workers has been increased from Rs 163 to Rs 203, the semi- skilled workers will now be paid Rs 248 instead of the previous wage of Rs 225.

"An unskilled laborer will now get Rs 5,272 per month whereas the semi-skilled laborer can take home at least Rs 5,850 per month. A skilled laborer is now entitled to minimum wages of Rs 6,448 per month," a senior Delhi government official said.

The non-technical supervisory and clerical staff are also entitled for hiked salaries.

"A graduate can now earn Rs 7,020 per month while a matriculate can take home Rs 6,448 every month," the official said.

The Delhi Cabinet also decided to set up Legal Service Authorities in each of the nine districts. Each district authority will consist of a District Judge as its chairman. The Cabinet had earlier sanctioned nine secretaries at the District Legal Services Authorities along with the ancillary staff. 

Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 09-03-2010