Employees of private companies in Noida continued their protests on Tuesday against the minimum wages despite the Uttar Pradesh government's new salary increase.
The employees say they are dissatisfied with the minor increment and said that the minimum salary should be at least Rs 20,000.
On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh government revised the monthly wages in different categories up to 3000 rupees.
For municipal corporation areas, the revised monthly wages have been fixed at Rs 13,006 for unskilled workers, Rs 14,306 for semi-skilled workers, and Rs 16,025 for skilled workers.
In the remaining districts, unskilled workers will get Rs 12,356 per month, semi-skilled workers Rs 13,591, and skilled workers Rs 15,224.
Workers, however, say that the increase is not sufficient to even provide food for oneself and their families with rising inflation and high costs of living.
A video of the protest on Tuesday show workers shouting "Rs 11,000 is not enough, and nothing less than Rs 20,000."
They also say that workers from other industrial units are paid higher salaries for similar work, making them unequally disadvantaged.
Labour organisations have also spoken out in support of the workers.
The factory management, however, says that such an increment would impact production costs and said that they are open to discussion with workers, Aaj Tak reported. However, any decision on the matter would take time.
One worker, Abhishek, told News18 Hindi that he came to Noida 10 years ago, hoping to find a job that would pay him Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000. “However, I had limited education, no experience, and household responsibilities. As the eldest son, I was forced to work somewhere. Then, I joined a company for just Rs 7,000, and now, nearly 10 years have passed. I'm still with the same company, and after all that time, my salary has only increased by Rs 9,000,” he said.
Another worker, Preeti, said that she joined a company where she earns just Rs 11,000. She says that after paying rent and other household expenses, she is left with nothing for the month.
Workers on Tuesday also demanded that malpractices by employers be addressed. They said that some companies treated skilled workers on par with unskilled labour with regard to allowances.
They also alleged that companies used a "revolving door tactic" involving firing staff before they hit the nine month mark, only to rehire them later to avoid paying higher allowances.
