Noida: A day after violent protests, UP govt on Tuesday raised the minimum monthly wages of industrial workers in Noida and Ghaziabad by 21%. Effective April 1, unskilled workers in the two cities will now get Rs 13,690, up from Rs 11,313; semi-skilled workers Rs 15,059 against Rs 12,445; and skilled workers Rs 16,668 from Rs 13,940.The decision was announced by a high-level committee headed by infrastructure and industrial development commissioner Deepak Kumar after consultations with labor representatives and industry bodies in Greater Noida on Monday. The revised figures include basic pay and dearness allowance, officials said.The committee, Kumar said, tried to strike a balance between rising living costs and the financial stress of industries, especially at a time when the West Asia conflict has slowed down exports. “Workers told us inflation, rent and daily expenses had made the existing wages inadequate. Industry representatives, on the other hand, said they were already under pressure, with delayed orders and thin margins in the wake of the conflict. We revised the wages keeping both sides in mind,” he added.The state, however, will no longer have a uniform minimum wage across all districts. According to Kumar, separate rates have now been recommended for Noida and Ghaziabad because living costs in the NCR cities are higher than those in the rest of the state. Workers in districts with municipal corporations will get a wage rise of nearly 15%, while those in the remaining districts will see an increase of 9.2%.Officials said the variation reflects differences in cost of living as well. Kumar said this also explains why UP’s revised wages remain below Haryana, which recently increased minimum wage from Rs 14,000 to Rs 19,000 a month.The government also moved to counter misinformation that had allegedly fueled anger among workers. Kumar said many workers had been led to believe that both the Center and state govts had already fixed higher wages and that factories were refusing to implement them.“The factual position is that the Center is still in the process of determining a national minimum floor wage under the new labor codes. The state is also acting under that broader exercise,” he said.Principal secretary (labour) MKS Sundaram said 20 to 22 worker representatives were heard by the committee during Monday’s meeting, along with industrialists. “Workers raised the issue of rising household costs. Industries pointed to higher raw material prices and export pressures linked to the West Asia situation. The revision was made after considering both,” he said, corroborating Kumar.Labor commissioner Markandeya Shahi pointed out that these are interim rates and final wages will be fixed next month on the wage board’s recommendation. April 23 is the last date for objections and suggestions, he added.The revision came after Monday’s protests spiraled into violence in Phase 2 and Sector 60, where workers demanding a wage hike torched vehicles, including police SUVs, and vandalized property. Police teams were pelted with stones in sectors 63, 65 and 57. Cops, too, used tear gas and mild force to disperse crowds, and heavy deployment continued in sensitive areas.The unrest had erupted despite a package of worker safeguards announced by the district administration on Sunday, including compulsory weekly offs, double pay for overtime and holiday work, annual bonuses before Nov 30, salary disbursal by the 10th of each month, medical cover and so on. Workers, however, remained focused on their core demand of a wage hike on the lines of Haryana’s 35%.Dharmendra Nagar, an industrial labor contractor, said the government’s decision had helped calm tempers. “To a large extent, this has pacified workers and they want to return to work. But those involved in Monday’s violence will not be taken back. Most factories and industries in Noida remained shut on Tuesday for safety reasons. We hope normal operations resume from Wednesday,” he added.Additional chief secretary Alok Kumar said “outsiders” had played a key role in disturbing Noida’s industrial environment and warned of strict action. The committee also issued helpline numbers — 0120-2336004 and 0120-2336005 — for workers to register complaints.
