Apply minimum wage hike to govt employees, not pvt sect: Traders to Delhi govt

New Delhi: Opposing the Delhi government's decision to hike minimum wages, representatives of traders, hoteliers, transporters and industry associations have suggested to Labour Minister Gopal Rai that the order should be applicable only to government employees and not the private sector.

In a meeting with 100 odd representatives, it was also conveyed to the government that decision to hike wages will hamper their business and this will result in the industry moving out.

"We have suggested that the decision to hike minimum wages should be extended to government employees. Keep the private sector out of it. The decision will lead to industry moving out of Delhi.

"We also told him by hiking the wages, the industry would also move out to neighbouring states where the labour is much cheaper than Delhi," AAP's Trade Wing Convenor Brijesh Goyal said.

Apart from strike and protest, Goyal added that the traders are also contemplating a legal course against the government's decision.

"We have explained our stand to the Minister and he said the concern will be raised in the Cabinet. We will also meet Delhi Chief Minister next week and raise this issue," Goyal said.

Defending his government's decision to hike minimum wages in Delhi, Kejriwal had said money in the hands of the poor and middle class, and not "Ambani and Adani", will benefit the country's economy.