Noida Workers’ Protests Continue Despite Wage Hike; Over 300 Arrested After Violence

Protests by industrial workers demanding higher wages continued on Tuesday across several parts of Noida, even after the Uttar Pradesh government announced a revised salary structure.

The demonstrations were reported from industrial hubs such as Sector 80, Sector 121, Sector 60, and Phase 2.

While many workers carried out peaceful protests, some areas witnessed violence, leading to police action and multiple arrests.

Protests Spread Across Industrial Areas

The protests began earlier this week and quickly spread across major industrial clusters in Noida. Workers gathered in large numbers, raising slogans and demanding better pay to meet rising living costs.

On Monday, the situation turned tense in some locations, with incidents of stone-pelting, vandalism, and even arson being reported. This prompted heavy deployment of police forces to control the situation.

Police Action and Arrests

According to Gautam Budh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, strict action has been taken against those involved in violence.

More than 300 people have been arrested so far, and seven FIRs have been registered. Police officials said that efforts are ongoing to identify others who may have instigated the unrest.

Authorities also revealed that certain organised groups may have played a role in escalating the protests. Several suspicious social media accounts created in recent days are under investigation for allegedly spreading misinformation and provoking workers.

Workers Say Wages Are Not Enough

Many workers say the revised wages are still not enough to meet their basic needs.
Tularam, a garment factory worker in Noida Phase 2, shared his struggles. He said he earns around ₹13,000 per month, which is not sufficient to support his family.

"My salary gets finished by the 10th of every month. To manage expenses, I often have to work overtime, sometimes even for very long hours," he said.

He added that workers are demanding a significant salary increase of up to ₹20,000 to cope with rising costs.

Lack of Clarity from Employers

Despite the government's announcement of revised wages, many workers claim they have not received any official confirmation from factory owners.

Tularam, who has been working in the garment sector for five years, said his salary has increased by only ₹2,000 during this time.

"We saw the news about salary revision, but no one from the factory has confirmed it. We are paid by employers, not the government, and they are not increasing our wages properly," he said.

Security Tightened Across Noida

To prevent further unrest, police have increased security across the city. Personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Rapid Action Force (RAF), and local police have been deployed in sensitive areas.

In addition, police have registered cases against certain social media accounts and formed special teams to track online activities linked to the protests.

New Wage Structure Announced

The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced revised wage rates, dividing them into three categories: Gautam Buddh Nagar-Ghaziabad region, cities with municipal corporations, and other districts.

For Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad:

• Unskilled workers: ₹13,690 (up from ₹11,313)
• Semi-skilled workers: ₹15,059 (up from ₹12,445)
• Skilled workers: ₹16,868 (up from ₹13,940)
• For cities with municipal corporations:
• Unskilled workers: ₹13,006
• Semi-skilled workers: ₹14,306
• Skilled workers: ₹16,025
• For other districts:
• Unskilled workers: ₹12,356
• Semi-skilled workers: ₹13,591
• Skilled workers: ₹15,224

These revised rates have been made effective from April 1.

Situation Remains Tense

Even after the announcement, protests have not completely stopped, as many workers feel the increase is not enough. The situation remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring developments.

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether talks between workers, employers, and the government can bring a peaceful resolution to the issue.