Uttar Pradesh Government Responds to Noida Workers’ Protests with Temporary Wage Increase

In a decisive response to growing unrest among factory workers in Noida, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced an interim increase in minimum wages across various categories. This decision, made public on Tuesday, follows a series of protests that highlighted the dire working conditions and inadequate pay for laborers in the region.

The revised wage rates, effective retroactively from April 1, set new monthly compensation levels at Rs 13,690 for unskilled workers, a jump from the previous wage of Rs 11,313. Semi-skilled laborers will now earn Rs 15,059, while skilled workers will see their pay rise to Rs 16,868 in the districts of Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad. For other municipal corporation areas, the minimum wages have been set at Rs 13,006, Rs 14,306, and Rs 16,025 for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers, respectively. In the remaining districts, the figures stand at Rs 12,356, Rs 13,591, and Rs 15,224.

This wage adjustment comes after extensive discussions between the state’s Labour Department, representatives from various industries, and labor groups, which intensified following protests on Monday demanding better pay and working conditions. Despite the government’s announcement, laborers have expressed that these increases are insufficient, with many calling for further hikes to meet their needs.

Workers like Awdhesh Mishra voiced their dissatisfaction, insisting the protests will persist until their wage demands are fully addressed. Mishra stated, “We work 12 hours daily but are not compensated accordingly. How are we supposed to sustain ourselves? We are demanding a salary between Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000.” Another protestor, Soni Singh, highlighted the increasing financial burden of living, mentioning that companies have ceased providing meals and that the prices of essential items like liquefied petroleum gas cylinders have soared.

The government has also clarified that claims regarding a uniform minimum wage of Rs 20,000 are erroneous. However, the situation remains fraught as workers continue to rally for fair wages and improved working conditions, reflecting broader issues of labor rights and economic justice in the region.

Source: scroll.in