Uttar Pradesh Increases Minimum Wages Amid Worker Protests in Noida
Minimum Wage Hike in Uttar Pradesh
Security personnel stand guard as factory workers stage a protest in Noida's Gautam Buddh Nagar. (Photo:PTI)
Noida, Apr 14: In response to recent unrest in Noida, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced an increase in minimum wages across various worker categories, effective retroactively from April 1.
District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, Medha Roopam, confirmed on Tuesday that the wage adjustments were made by a high-powered committee and received approval from the Chief Minister late the previous night.
As per the new rates, unskilled workers in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad will now earn Rs 13,690 monthly, an increase from Rs 11,313. Semi-skilled workers will receive Rs 15,059, while skilled workers will earn Rs 16,868, according to official sources.
For other municipal areas, the revised wages are set at Rs 13,006 for unskilled, Rs 14,306 for semi-skilled, and Rs 16,025 for skilled workers.
In other districts, unskilled workers will receive Rs 12,356, semi-skilled workers Rs 13,591, and skilled workers Rs 15,224 per month.
This decision follows discussions with both employers' associations and labor organizations.
The government emphasized that all suggestions and objections were carefully reviewed to achieve a "balanced and practical" resolution.
This wage increase comes in the wake of significant protests by factory workers in Noida, where thousands rallied for better wages and improved working conditions.
The protests escalated into violence in certain areas, leading the government to form a committee aimed at addressing the issues and facilitating dialogue between workers and employers.
The committee is focused on resolving industrial disputes through communication and collaboration, while also exploring additional measures to meet workers' needs.
According to the government, industries are currently grappling with global economic challenges, such as rising input costs and decreasing exports, while workers' demands for fair wages, overtime pay, safety, and improved working conditions remain crucial.
"It is vital to strike a balance between industry needs and labor rights," the government stated, noting that the new labor codes are designed to ensure fair compensation and safeguard workers' interests.
Additionally, the government has refuted claims circulating on social media that a uniform minimum wage of Rs 20,000 per month has been established for all workers, labeling these reports as "fake and misleading."
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged employers to ensure timely wage payments, appropriate overtime compensation, weekly days off, bonuses, and social security benefits, while also prioritizing safe working conditions, especially for female employees.