Violent protests rocked Noida in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district, as thousands of industrial workers took to the streets demanding higher wages. The protests, which continued till Tuesday, saw several vehicles set on fire, public property damaged, and incidents of stone-pelting reported.
The trigger behind the protests was a move taken in neighbouring Haryana, where a hike in wages for workers was announced. However, thousands of workers also held protests in Haryana's Palwal and Faridabad on Monday following the state government's decision to raise minimum wages across all categories.
The Haryana government declared a 35 per cent rise in minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers, effective April 1, 2026. The new structure includes:
Minimum wage for unskilled workers increased from ₹11,274 to ₹15,220 per month
Semi-skilled workers' wages went up from ₹12,430.18 to ₹16,780.74
Skilled and highly skilled workers also got a 35% increase
Many workers part of the Noida protests said the wage gap is now hard to explain, especially as workers in neighbouring Haryana are earning more. They also claimed that employers are not complying with the central government's minimum wage rules.
Around 7,500 workers in Palwal and Faridabad held protests in their areas on Monday. They alleged that factory managements had not released any notice on the minimum wage increase announced by the Haryana government last week.
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) general secretary (Haryana) Jai Bhagwan said, “Factory managements are not issuing any circulars or notices for workers resulting in mistrust.”
Officials said the protests happened due to a lack of communication between workers and company management, along with rumours.
UP hikes wages but protests continue in Noida
Protests by workers seeking a wage increase continued in Noida on Tuesday despite the Uttar Pradesh government announcing a revised pay structure. Police filed seven FIRs and arrested nearly 350 people in connection with the violence.
For Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad, wages for unskilled workers have been increased from ₹11,313 to ₹13,690 (interim). Semi-skilled workers' wages have risen from ₹12,445 to ₹15,059 (interim), while skilled workers will now receive ₹16,868 (interim), up from ₹13,940.
