New Delhi, Nov 5 (KNN) Contrary to what other businessmen in Ludhiana are saying on the recent decision of the state government to hike minimum wages for different categories of workers in Punjab, Mohali Industries Association (MIA) has hailed the moved and said workers deserve this.

Jasbir Singh from MIA has a different take on the issue.

While speaking to KNN India, Singh said, "There is only an increment of Rs 200 to 250 in workers' wages. They deserve this hike in mikikum wage, it's a small amount, not a big.''

According to several media reports, the businessmen in the city have warned that if the gap of minimum wages - which in some cases is almost Rs 3, 000 per month - is not narrowed by the state government, it is very likely that a large number of factories from the state would shift their base to other states.

Singh replied, "In this inflation, they deserve this hike, though it won't create much difference in theirs lives. We don't oppose the hike, we need workers to run industries, if we don't pay them enough, they will run away.''

‘‘Not me and none of our members have opposed this, instead we have increased their wages in October only,'' he concluded.

As per the media reports, it may be noted that a few days back the state government had hiked minimum wages  for unskilled labour to 8,776 from 8,451 per month. For semi-skilled labour, the new rates of wages had been set at Rs 9,556 from 9,231, while fir skilled labour, the rate was revised to Rs 10,453 from 10,128.

---------------------