Arvind Kejriwal attacks LG Jung after he returns proposal on 50% hike in min wage

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has returned to Delhi government a file proposing hike in minimum wages by 50 per cent and asked it to re-look the proposal after he termed as “illegal” the 13-member wages fixation committee, which was formed by AAP dispensation without his prior approval.

Labour Minister Gopal Rai, who on Friday met Jung at Raj Niwas, said the government sent the file relating to formation of new committee to LG for his approval.

He also said that the move will lead to a delay in implementation of new minimum wages rules in the national capital, as Jung will leave for the US tomorrow on a 10-day visit.

Rai, however, claimed that the LG has in-principle agreed with the proposed 50 per cent hike in minimum wages, the proposal of which was sent by the Delhi government on August 24 for his nod.

In April, Rai had formed a 13-member committee on revision of minimum wages in Delhi, which last month recommended a 50 per cent hike in minimum wages for all category of—unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled—workers.

Attacking Jung for returning the file, Kejriwal said “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s LG” has returned file on minimum wages at a time when 18 crore workers are on a nation-wide strike on Friday.

“On a day, when 18 crore workers are on strike, Modi’s LG returns file on minimum wages,” Kejriwal tweeted.

On a day when 18 cr workers are on strike, Modi's LG returns file on minimum wages

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 2, 2016

Rai said, he had requested the LG to give post facto approval to the government-appointed minimum wages fixation committee as he had done in the past, “but the LG did not relent and declared the committee as illegal”.

“On LG’s advice, we had sent today the file pertaining to formation of new committee. If the LG gives his nod, the new committee will give recommendation on revision of minimum wages,” the Labour Minister said.

Last month, the CM had expressed apprehension that his government’s proposal to increase minimum wages by up to 50 per cent could be shot down by Jung.

He had asked the people to “gherao the Prime Minister and Lt Governor” if such a step was taken.

As per the existing government’s proposal, the minimum wages for unskilled person will be Rs 14,052 per month against the existing Rs 9,568 per month in the national capital.

For semi-skilled and skilled persons there will be an increase from Rs 10,582 pm to Rs 15,471 pm and from Rs 11,622 pm to Rs 17,033 pm respectively.