AAP’s trade wing threatens stir against minimum wage revision

NEW DELHI: The decision of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to revise minimum wages across all sectors has run into trouble in an unusual quarter — the party’s

NEW DELHI: The decision of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to revise minimum wages across all sectors has run into trouble in an unusual quarter — the party’s own trade wing.

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A day after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced revision of minimum wages by about 50% across sectors, the office bearers of the ruling party’s trade wing met deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and labour minister Gopal Rai, demanding a roll-back.

Convener of AAP’s trade wing, Brajesh Goyal, said they were against the government’s decision and even threatened to hit the streets in protest if the wage revision was not roll backed. The decision announced by Kejriwal is still to be cleared by the Delhi Cabinet.

“We have met the deputy chief minister and the labour minister and apprised them about the anger among the traders and industrialists over the decision. The minimum wages in the city is already about 30% higher than the neighbouring states. Further increase of 50% will make it about double of those in other states,” Goyal told Hindustan Times.

“We will hit the streets if the decision is not withdrawn,” he added.

As per the government’s proposal, the minimum wages for unskilled person will be Rs 14,052 against the existing Rs 9,568 in the national capital. Besides, the wages for semi-skilled and skilled person will increase from Rs 10,582 to Rs 15,471 and from Rs 11,622 to Rs 17,033 respectively.

Goyal said they have called a meeting of all trade associations and industry bodies on Wednesday to chalk out a future course of action.