Since last Thursday, hundreds of contractual workers in Noida have blockaded roads near the NSEZ metro station, demanding a minimum wage of Rs 20,000, compensation for unpaid overtime, and safe working conditions. The protests turned violent on Monday, resulting in 300 arrests and 7 FIRs as police stepped up patrols across the industrial belt.
While ministers in the Uttar Pradesh government have attempted to link these protests to Pakistan or Naxals, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a minimum wage hike effective April 1. In Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad, monthly wages for unskilled workers rose to Rs 13,690 (from Rs 11,313), while semi-skilled and skilled workers will now receive Rs 15,059 and Rs 16,868, respectively. But the revised rates still fall short of the workers’ initial demands.
Speaking to Newslaundry, Ujala – a worker participating in the protest – said, “Day after day, our work targets keep increasing, yet they refuse to raise our salaries.”
Another worker, Prashant Kumar, who has since left factory work for manual labour, said: “Is it fair that we work 12-hour shifts in the company, and then spend the rest of our time wandering the streets just to fill our gas cylinders? Are all the people crazy that they are on the street?”
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