A worker's protest over wage demands turned violent on Monday in Noida’s Phase 2 Industrial Area. Police were deployed to control the violence and escalating disruptions across the city.
The protests had started on Saturday and escalated on their third day. Protesters gathered and blocked several key roads in Sector 1 and allegedly set cars on fire and damaged property. They also pelted stones.
Police had to resort to using tear gas shells and made a lathi charge to disperse protesters. About 50 protesters have been arrested in connection with the violence.
Several police personnel were also injured in the clashes and have been taken to hospitals. Police vehicles were also reportedly attacked, Hindustan Times reported.
The protests also caused a massive traffic jam across Noida. Authorities diverted the traffic at many locations. The violence reportedly escalated after one of the female employees was struck by a lathi during the police actions.
One woman worker suffered from bullet injuries after being hit twice during the confrontation by the police
Why are they protesting?
The protesters are workers of several private firms. The agitations began days ago as they demanded salary hikes and other benefits.
On Sunday, some of the demands, including payment of overtime at double the rate, bonuses on Diwali, were accepted by the state government.
Another main trigger for the protests was the Haryana government increasing wages from Rs14000 to Rs19000 with a jump of 35 per cent. This reportedly created resentment among workers in Uttar Pradesh whose wages remained at Rs 13,000.
However, protesters gathered on Monday saying that their man demand was to increase their salary to RS26 per month in adherence to labour laws and a weekly off.
They said that their were being paid at a rate of Rs500- 700 daily and were made to work for 10-12 hours. They said that it was impossible to make ends meet with the current wages.
Women workers who spoke to Hindi Khabar said, “We should be earning ₹20,000 for 8 hours of work. Instead, some companies give an increment of ₹280, or some other gives ₹300 as a raise.” “In the meantime, our house rent increases by ₹500,” they added.
“Our problem is that gas prices are increasing, but our salaries are not increasing,” another woman said.
The protest was organised in the industrial area where hundreds of companies operate.
