Large-scale protests by factory workers over low wages and unmet salary demands turned violent in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida on Monday, with incidents of vandalism, arson and stone-pelting reported in the Phase-2 industrial area, severely disrupting traffic and prompting heavy police deployment.
According to media reports, a large number of workers employed across multiple manufacturing units gathered to demand wage hikes, blocking key routes including the Noida Link Road and the stretch from the Chilla Border, leading to massive congestion for several hours and affecting movement between Delhi and Noida.
The situation escalated as clashes broke out between protesters and police personnel, with visuals and accounts indicating damage to vehicles and property. Authorities said the unrest was eventually brought under control with the use of minimum force.
Citing Uttar Pradesh police, reports said demonstrations were held at several locations, though violence was concentrated at one site. Officials also claimed that the protests were allegedly instigated by elements from outside the state.
Workers, however, described deep-rooted grievances linked to stagnant wages and rising living costs. Speaking to IANS, several protesters said their monthly salaries have remained around ₹12,000 despite years of service.
“When we ask for a raise, we are threatened and told to leave the job,” one worker said, adding that managing basic expenses has become increasingly difficult.
Another worker highlighted the disparity between wages and inflation. “Those earning ₹50,000 buy cooking oil at ₹200 per kg, and we also pay the same price. Is there a separate market for us?” he asked.
Workers said rent alone consumes around ₹5,000 a month, leaving little for other essentials such as food, education and healthcare. Many demanded that minimum monthly salaries be increased to between ₹20,000 and ₹25,000.
A female worker said her base salary stands at ₹12,000, rising to around ₹14,000–15,000 only with overtime. “Even then, it is not enough to sustain. Our salary should be at least ₹20,000–25,000,” she said.
Concerns were also raised over overtime compensation, with workers demanding double wages for extra hours. “We have been working for five to six years, yet our salary is still just ₹12,000,” a group of workers said.
Amid the unrest, auto components maker Motherson Sumi Wiring India Ltd issued a clarification to stock exchanges, stating that the protests reflect a broader labour issue affecting multiple industries in Noida and other cities.
“This is a broader labour issue… driven by misinformation being spread about wage revisions,” the company said in its regulatory filing.
The company added that its operations remain compliant with applicable laws and that there has been 'no material impact' on business. It also emphasised that employee safety remains its top priority and that authorities are working closely with industry stakeholders to restore normalcy.
The unrest, according to reports, has been particularly intense around facilities linked to the company, though it maintained that the issue is not company-specific but industry-wide.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has stepped in to address the situation. Reports said chief minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath has ordered the formation of a committee to examine workers’ grievances and help resolve the dispute.
District magistrate Medha Roopam said multiple meetings have been held with industrial units in recent days and directives have been issued to improve labour conditions.
According to the administration, workers will be paid double wages for overtime, mandatory weekly offs will be enforced, and any work on weekly holidays will attract double compensation. Bonuses will also be credited directly to workers’ bank accounts by30th November, as per regulations.
Despite these assurances, workers remain firm on their primary demand for a significant salary increase, arguing that existing wages are insufficient to maintain a basic standard of living amid rising inflation.
The developments highlight growing labour tensions in industrial clusters, where wage expectations are increasingly clashing with cost pressures and operational realities, raising concerns about broader industrial relations in the region.
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Corporates have seen their profits rise but it has not trickled down to workers.
Unfortunately the current administration at the Centre and the "double engine sarkar" in UP has not paid attention to these issues.
All that they want to do is demonise one community to distract the people from the failures of this govt, both at the State level and the Centre.