Gurgaon: Several workers staged a protest at the deputy commissioner’s office over multiple demands on Thursday.While seeking implementation of a uniform minimum wage across the national capital region (NCR), workers belonging to many unions — under the banner of Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) — demanded immediate release of those arrested after the Manesar agitation, besides withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters.Highlighting wage disparities, union leaders pointed out that minimum wages (unskilled) differ significantly across neighboring states — Rs 19,846 in Delhi, Rs 15,220 in Haryana, Rs 13,690 in Uttar Pradesh and Rs 7,410 in Rajasthan — despite similar living costs across the NCR. They argued that with frequent movement of industries and labor across state borders, “a uniform wage structure is essential”.CITU vice-president Satbir Singh said the government must look into workers’ conditions instead of suppressing their movement. He noted that a committee — comprising representatives of factory owners, trade unions, the govt and the labor department — unanimously recommended a minimum wage of Rs 23,196 at its Dec 29, 2025 meeting in Panipat.Expressing dissatisfaction with the 35% hike in minimum wages, announced recently, the protesters said the increase does not match the “rising cost of living” and called for a revision.Singh added that even the revised wage of Rs 15,220, announced by chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, is not being implemented by many industries. “Across Gurgaon, Panipat, Faridabad and other industrial hubs, employers are expressing inability to enforce the revised wages,” he said, adding that this resistance has triggered protests across multiple districts.Union representatives alleged that factory workers were prevented from participating in the protest. Despite this, anganwadi workers, forest workers, municipal unions and other groups extended solidarity, joining the demonstration in large numbers.“The administration and police are using pressure tactics to deter workers from participating in protests,” CITU district president Suresh Nauhara alleged, adding that union leaders were warned they would be held responsible for any untoward incident.Nauhara alleged that the government is using police action to defame the workers’ movement. “The administration is portraying the agitation as being instigated by outsiders under pressure from industrial interests,” he said, reiterating the demand for the unconditional release of arrested workers.Labor leader Basant Kumar claimed that no protest was allowed in Manesar and workers were pressured to stay away under threat to their wages.Janwadi Mahila Samiti state general secretary Usha Saroha also condemned the alleged lathi-charge on women workers, their arrests and the registration of serious charges, demanding that all such cases be withdrawn unconditionally.
