Wages hike, weekly leaves and better working conditions have emerged as key demands of workers amid ongoing discussions between workers’ representatives and a high-level committee set up by the Uttar Pradesh government to address industrial unrest in Gautam Budh Nagar, officials said on Monday.
The committee held a meeting with workers’ representatives and other stakeholders late in Greater Noida, where employees from various industrial units explained their concerns in detail.
The committee was formed by the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday, following directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to address the situation and study the demands of the workers.
By order, the Committee is headed by the Industrial Development Commissioner and includes Additional Chief Secretary (MSME), Principal Secretary (Labour and Employment), Labor Commissioner as Member Secretary, besides representatives of trade unions and industrial bodies.
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What were the demands of the demonstrators?
The demonstrators said that many workers currently earn between… $10000 and $15,000 per month and seeking review $18,000– $20,000, due to the high cost of living and disparities with neighboring states like Haryana. In addition, employees have also raised their demands for a guaranteed weekly day off and strict enforcement of double overtime pay.
“We have been working for years without any significant increase in wages,” said Suraj (one name), a worker working in an industrial unit in Sector 63. “Our demand is simple – we want a fair salary that reflects current costs.”
Another worker, who participated in the discussions, said that the demands are not limited to wages. The worker, who requested to remain anonymous, said: “We demanded weekly vacations, proper overtime pay, and better treatment in the workplace. This is also about dignity, not just salary.”
Officials said the meeting was part of a multi-stage consultation process aimed at hearing complaints from all stakeholders. Officials indicated that discussions are taking place with worker representatives from various industrial units, and no trade union leading the talks has been identified yet.
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Job security concerns and labor law enforcement are among the concerns
According to district administration officials, workers also cited concerns regarding job security, implementation of labor laws and the need for a more respectful and safe work environment. District Magistrate Medha Rupam said the committee was focusing on resolving the situation through dialogue. “The committee will work with all stakeholders and will submit its recommendations on priority. The interests of workers will be protected while industrial peace is maintained,” she said.
An official familiar with the discussions said the workers had “clearly presented their demands regarding a review of wages, overtime and working conditions” before the committee.
The officials added that other rounds of meetings will be held in the coming days, and decisions on the main demands, especially the wage review, will be taken at the government level.
At the same time, the management appealed to workers to remain calm and return to their workplaces, urging them not to pay attention to rumors and rely only on official communications.
