New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Tuesday welcomed the hike in minimum wages in Delhi and refuted fears that this could drive away industries from the national capital.
On Monday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hiked the minimum wages to Rs 14,052 for unskilled labour, Rs 15,471 for semi-skilled and Rs 17,033 for skilled workmen.
Thanking the Aam Aadmi Party leader, CITU said opposition to the proposed hike in minimum wages by the CII and FICCI was without any substance and logic.
"Their only argument was that the industries would shift outside Delhi and this would increase unemployment in the city," said the trade union wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist.
CITU said it had demanded Rs 20,000 as minimum wages to counter the impact of inflation.
"We request the Chief Minister and the Labour Minister to hasten the process of declaration of this wage hike and direct the labour department to strictly implement the same," it said.
CITU also urged the central government to hike the wages of employees as demanded by the central trade unions all across the country.
