Workers' protest for wage hike turns violent in UP: vehicles torched
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New Delhi: A protest by factory workers demanding wage hikes in Noida escalated into violence, with protesters setting vehicles on fire and pelting stones at police. The incident occurred in the Phase 2 industrial area, which houses multiple factories.
The agitation, driven by demands for higher salaries and better benefits, led to major disruption on Monday morning, with severe traffic congestion reported across key roads in the area. Videos circulating on social media show protesters setting a police van ablaze before additional police forces intervened to bring the situation under control.
Workers had been protesting for several days, citing low wages and poor working conditions. Their demands include salary hikes, improved workplace safety, weekly holidays, and proper mechanisms to register grievances.
The unrest is also linked to recent developments in neighboring Haryana, where the government increased minimum wages for unskilled workers by 35%, raising it from ₹11,274 to ₹15,220. Protesters argue that similar wage revisions must be implemented in Uttar Pradesh, pointing out disparities despite similar work.
Amid the escalating tensions, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed factories to comply with labour laws and ensure timely payment of wages, even as authorities continue to monitor the situation.