Despite the state government announcing a wage hike for workers, workers’ protest continued on Tuesday at the Hosiery Complex in Phase 2 of Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Policemen have been deployed at the incident site.
The workers are demanding an increase in the minimum wage. The protest turned violent after clashes with police on Monday. The protesters threw stones and set vehicles on fire.
Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh said that more than 300 people have been arrested in this case.
The Police Commissioner said that they are conducting a route march and the committee constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government has held meetings with stakeholders to resolve the issue.
The police officer said, “Continuous protests are being held since 5 am. The workers gathered at three places this morning and after talking to them, they were dispersed within fifteen minutes. The high-level committee present here since yesterday held extensive and long meetings with all the stakeholders and made some recommendations. The Uttar Pradesh government understands the problems of the workers, is sympathetic towards them and is ready to solve all their problems. I appeal to all the workers that They should return to work in their factories and establish a peaceful environment in Gautam Buddha Nagar district.”
He said, “In the last two days, many such WhatsApp groups have been formed in which workers are being added to the group by scanning the QR code. This shows that a well-planned, organized gang is working behind the scenes. We have identified some of these people and arrested them and will ensure their arrest in future also. Their financial support will also be investigated, and if it is found that they have received money from outside the country or the state, then action will be taken in that direction too. Yesterday we conducted raids at various places. 7 FIRs have been registered in connection with the incidents that took place.
The Police Commissioner further said, “More than 300 people have been arrested. Some of these instigators have also been arrested and more arrests will be made in the coming days.”
This morning, the high-level committee constituted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday increased the interim minimum wages by about 21 per cent for workers in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad following widespread protests in Noida Phase 2.
According to the Noida DM office, the interim wages for unskilled workers in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad have been increased from Rs 11,313 to Rs 13,690 per month; The wages for semi-skilled workers have been increased from Rs 12,445 to Rs 15,059 and for skilled workers from Rs 13,940 to Rs 16,868. The interim rates will be effective from April 1.
In municipal corporation districts, the monthly wages have been increased to Rs 13,006 for unskilled workers, Rs 14,306 for semi-skilled workers and Rs 16,025 for skilled workers.
According to the DM office, wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers in other districts have been increased to Rs 12,356, Rs 13,591 and Rs 15,224 respectively.
These protests have also created political controversy in the state. State Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ said a committee formed by the Uttar Pradesh government is in talks with the workers to resolve the issues. Gupta accused Samajwadi Party and Congress of conspiring to disturb law and order in the state.
In a statement the minister of state said, “Our government has taken this matter very seriously. A panel of senior government officials has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Industrial Development Commissioner.”
The anarchist and hooligan elements of Samajwadi Party and Congress have repeatedly conspired to disturb the peace and order of the state under the guise of such protests. Prima facie, it is undeniable that he has played a dubious role in instigating the workers through rumours.
The statement said, “The committee constituted by the government is in talks with representatives of labor unions, industry groups and all stakeholders. After detailed discussion and deliberations on all points, an appropriate solution to this issue will be found at the earliest. Such action will be taken against any anti-social element challenging this identity and environment that people for seven generations will tremble on hearing the name of this crime. I appeal to all parties to exercise restraint and patience.”
On Monday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the UP government is trying to hide its failures and termed the protests as a conspiracy.
Akhilesh said, “The Uttar Pradesh government is at number one in lying. The Chief Minister claims that this is a conspiracy, but if it is really a conspiracy, then did his intelligence agency also go with him to campaign in Bengal? By calling it a ‘conspiracy’, they are only trying to hide their failures. In view of the current inflation, it is natural for the workers to put forth their demands. The committee formed today to talk to the workers could have been formed long ago.”