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

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Opposing the Delhi government’sdecision to hike minimum wages, representatives of traders,hoteliers, transporters and industry associations havesuggested to Labour Minister Gopal Rai that the order shouldbe applicable only to government employees and not the privatesector. In a meeting with 100 odd representatives, it was alsoconveyed to the government that decision to hike wages willhamper their business and this will result in the industrymoving out. "We have suggested that the decision to hike minimumwages should be extended to government employees. Keep theprivate sector out of it. The decision will lead to industrymoving out of Delhi. "We also told him by hiking the wages, the industry wouldalso move out to neighbouring states where the labour is muchcheaper than Delhi," AAP’s Trade Wing Convenor Brijesh Goyalsaid. Apart from strike and protest, Goyal added that thetraders are also contemplating a legal course against thegovernment’s decision. "We have explained our stand to the Minister and he saidthe concern will be raised in the Cabinet. We will also meetDelhi Chief Minister next week and raise this issue," Goyalsaid. Defending his government’s decision to hike minimum wagesin Delhi, Kejriwal had said money in the hands of the poor andmiddle class, and not "Ambani and Adani", will benefit thecountry’s economy. PTI PRRT