UP’s interim wage hike faces criticism; labour rights group demands lasting reform

By A Representative 

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an interim hike in minimum wages of up to 21% effective April 1, 2026, following violent worker protests in Noida and Ghaziabad. However, labour groups argue this remains inadequate compared to Haryana and Delhi, and have formally petitioned the state leadership to comply with Supreme Court directives for a fair and lasting revision.

The National Campaign Committee for Eradication of Bonded Labour has written to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Labour Secretary, and Labour Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh, urging immediate compliance with the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Workmen v. Management of Reptakos Brett & Co. Ltd. (1992). The letter highlights that while the Dearness Allowance has been periodically adjusted, the basic minimum wage rate in Uttar Pradesh has not been revised since 2014, leaving unorganized and migrant workers in distress. The Committee notes that despite repeated communications, including a letter dated June 7, 2024, the government has not acted on its obligations under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

The urgency of the appeal is underscored by recent unrest in Noida, Ghaziabad, and other NCR industrial hubs. Workers, frustrated by stagnant wages amid rising inflation, staged protests that escalated into violence, damaging factories and blocking traffic. The core grievance is the sharp disparity with neighbouring states: Haryana’s minimum wage for unskilled workers is above Rs. 15,000 per month, while Delhi’s rates stand at Rs. 18,456 (unskilled), Rs. 20,371 (semi-skilled), and Rs. 22,411 (skilled). In contrast, Uttar Pradesh’s revised interim rates are Rs. 13,690 for unskilled, Rs. 15,059 for semi-skilled, and Rs. 16,868 for skilled workers in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad, with smaller increases in other districts.

The Committee warns that the government’s interim hike is akin to “allopathic medicine”—providing temporary relief but not addressing structural inequities. It calls for a comprehensive revision based on Supreme Court guidelines, which mandate that minimum wages must ensure not only subsistence but also dignity, education, and healthcare for workers’ families. The letter stresses that failure to act deepens inequality and fuels unrest, while a fair wage policy would serve as “Ayurvedic medicine”—a lasting solution fostering peace, prosperity, and social justice.

The appeal concludes with a demand for uniform notification of revised minimum wages across all districts and immediate implementation to restore workers’ faith in governance. “An early action in this regard will provide much-needed relief to lakhs of workers,” writes Convener Nirmal Gorana, emphasizing that the organization stands ready to cooperate with the government in building an egalitarian society.

This development places Uttar Pradesh at a crossroads: while the interim hike addresses immediate tensions, the broader challenge remains—aligning wage policy with constitutional and judicial mandates to ensure dignity of labour and prevent further unrest.