Protests by factory workers over wages resurfaced in Noida’s Sector 63 on Wednesday, with authorities deploying a heavy police presence to prevent fresh unrest in the industrial hub.
The demonstration, centred around Block A, saw a group of workers gather briefly before police teams moved in and dispersed them. The protests come at a time when the agitation has been simmering for days now, and nerves remain frayed in several parts of the city.
Wage dispute drags on despite crackdown and pay revision
The unrest began on Monday, with workers demanding better wages and long-pending salary hikes. Things turned tense earlier this week in the Phase 2 industrial area, where clashes broke out, leading to stone-pelting, damage to property and road blockades.
The unrest didn’t stay confined to factory gates. It spilled onto the roads, choking traffic across key stretches. Commuters moving between Delhi and Noida, especially via the Noida Link Road and near the Chilla Border, found themselves stuck in long, frustrating jams for hours.
With tempers rising, the Uttar Pradesh government moved to intervene, announcing a revised minimum wage structure across worker categories in an attempt to cool the situation. At the same time, police action has been stepped up, with around 300 people arrested so far in an effort to bring the situation under control.
Security stepped up, clean-up underway in industrial areas
Authorities have maintained heightened vigilance since Tuesday, increasing security deployment across sensitive pockets. Preventive steps are being reinforced at industrial units, including the installation of barbed wire along factory boundaries and the strengthening of entry gates.
At the same time, clean-up operations are ongoing in areas affected by earlier clashes. Teams are now working to clear the aftermath of the protests, with stones, burnt tyres and other debris being removed from the roads to bring traffic back to normal.
At factory gates, large hoardings have come up, assuring workers that they will be paid minimum wages as per the revised structure.
Revised wages meant to ease tensions
Under the new wage structure, workers in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad are set to see a jump in their monthly pay. Unskilled workers will now receive Rs 13,690, up from Rs 11,313.
Semi-skilled workers’ wages have been raised to Rs 15,059 from Rs 12,445, while skilled workers will now earn Rs 16,868 compared to the earlier Rs 13,940.
In other municipal corporation areas, unskilled workers will get Rs 13,006, semi-skilled workers Rs 14,306, and skilled workers Rs 16,025. For the remaining districts, revised wages stand at Rs 12,356 for unskilled workers, Rs 13,591 for semi-skilled workers, and Rs 15,224 for skilled workers.
Officials said the revised interim rates include both basic pay and Dearness Allowance, and are aimed at addressing worker concerns while ensuring a return to normalcy.