Noida Worker Protests Turn Violent: Who Is Involved and Why?

Workers from the Hosiery Complex in Phase 2 of Uttar Pradesh’s Noida held protests with a demand for higher salaries which later turned violent. Protesters allegedly vandalised vehicles and property and resorted to stone-pelting during a clash with police. Heavy police deployment was witnessed. On Sunday, Noida District Magistrate Medha Roopam held a meeting with the state’s Principal Secretary (Labour) and Labour Commissioner to discuss issues related to workers’ welfare, including overtime pay, bonuses and workplace safety.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said workers must get their due and industries must follow labour laws. He, however, directed authorities to take strict action against anti-social elements trying to instigate workers.

Why the protests?

Over the past few days, workers in Noida have been protesting after the Haryana government announced a 35% hike in the minimum wage for unskilled labourers raising it from Rs 11,274 per month to Rs 15,220. Now, workers in Noida, particularly garment export units in the Hosiery Complex, are asking for higher wages from the Uttar Pradesh government, stating the fact that their counterparts in Haryana are getting more pay for the same work. Additionally, the workers have also cited poor working conditions, lack of weekly offs and lack of grievance redressal mechanism as the reasons behind the protest.