AAP government to enhance punishment for denial of minimum wages

NEW DELHI: Making his pitch to unorganized workers of Delhi on May Day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that he will amend the existing ‘Minimum Wages Act’ by adding stringent provisions for punishing employers who do not pay minimum wages to workers. These amendments will be introduced in the government’s first full budget session slated for June, he said at the launch of the AAP government’s ‘Shramik Vikas Mission’ at Shalimar Bagh on Friday evening.

“The hard work and dedication of workers needs to be recognized, since it plays an important role in economic development and infrastructure growth of Delhi. We will take strict action against employers for non-payment of minimum wages to workers. We will amend the existing minimum wages act by adding stringent punishment for employers for non-payment of minimum wages to the workers. We will bring the amendment in the said act in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha Session in June 2015,” he said.

Kejriwal said, his government will give priority to the working class by providing them basic facilities including easy access in government hospitals, opening new dispensaries and schools to ensure proper education for their children. The mission, according to a government statement, will be focusing on a) strict action against employers for non-payment of minimum wages to workers b) enhancement of financial entitlements under various welfare schemes for construction workers and c) pension benefit for unorganized workers under ‘Dilli Swavlamban Yojna’.

At the rally, Kejriwal said, he will ensure “full justice to the workers whether they belong to organize sector or the unorganized sector”. He also promised that his govt. will provide pucca houses to all slum dwellers within next five years in Delhi. Permission for removing slums has been denied, he said, adding that the matter has been taken up with Ministry of Railways and DDA.