Noida protests, wages rise
Manufacturing hubs in Uttar Pradesh raised factory wages after protests in Noida where roughly 300 people were arrested and authorities probed a WhatsApp syndicate; workers had been demanding ₹18,000–₹20,000 amid high inflation. Social reporting named the arrests, the wage demand range, and an ongoing investigation into coordinated messaging (x.com).
Uttar Pradesh raised factory minimum wages in Noida and Ghaziabad on April 14 after worker protests in Noida led to more than 300 arrests. (indianexpress.com) The revised interim rates are effective retrospectively from April 1, 2026. In Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad, monthly wages rose to ₹13,690 for unskilled workers, ₹15,059 for semi-skilled workers, and ₹16,868 for skilled workers. (indianexpress.com) Police in Gautam Buddh Nagar said seven first information reports were filed after violence in Noida’s industrial areas. Commissioner Laxmi Singh said more than 300 people were arrested and investigators were examining WhatsApp groups created through QR codes to add workers. (news18.com) The protests spread across Sector 80, Sector 121, Sector 60 and Phase 2, with reports of arson, stone-pelting and vandalism. Police said they deployed Provincial Armed Constabulary, Rapid Action Force and city police, while a separate team tracked social media accounts linked to the unrest. (hindustantimes.com) Workers said the new rates still fall short of what they have been demanding. News18 reported that many protesters were seeking at least ₹20,000 a month, after Haryana recently raised minimum wages to about ₹19,000 to ₹20,000. (news18.com) Workers also tied the wage fight to living costs and shop-floor conditions. Protesters told local reporters they were struggling on ₹11,000 to ₹13,000 a month and alleged long shifts, weak overtime enforcement, irregular pay, and poor safety and basic facilities in some factories. (hindustantimes.com; news18.com) The state government said the revision followed talks between the Labour Department’s high-level committee, workers and industry representatives. Officials also said social media claims of a uniform ₹20,000 minimum wage were incorrect under the new order. (indianexpress.com) For now, the wage order has changed the pay floor, but not ended the dispute. Protests continued in parts of Noida on April 14 as workers pressed for higher take-home pay and police widened their investigation into who organized the mobilization. (hindustantimes.com; news18.com)
