The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a 21% interim minimum-wage hike for factory workers in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad, following days of escalating protests in Noida's industrial belt.
However, the state government has alleged a conspiracy behind the stir, invoking Pakistan, Naxalism, and 'anti-national forces.'
Protests, which began on April 10, had been building for months, with workers demanding a minimum monthly wage of ₹20,000, citing neighbouring Haryana's 35% wage hike.
Over 40,000 workers had flooded the streets across more than 80 locations in Noida's industrial zones, with vehicles set on fire and police deploying tear gas.
Workers described systematic underpayment and work-hour abuse, with some earning as little as ₹10,275 a month and being forced to do overtime without pay.
The government's response was met with skepticism, with workers calling the hike insufficient and continuing their protests.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath linked the protests to Naxalism and 'anti-national forces,' while Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar cited alleged links to Pakistan.
Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, criticized the government's response, with Gandhi linking the crisis to global inflation and the implementation of new Labour Codes.
