The protests, which erupted earlier this week, saw workers demanding a significant hike in their salaries. While largely peaceful at the outset, parts of the demonstration turned violent, with incidents of arson and vandalism reported before authorities brought the situation under control.
Rahul Gandhi Voices Support
Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi strongly backed the workers’ demands and criticized the central government for what he described as neglect of their concerns.
Highlighting the economic challenges faced by laborers, he noted that a worker earning around ₹12,000 per month struggles to survive as rent alone consumes ₹4,000–₹7,000. He argued that minimal annual wage increases are quickly offset by rising living costs.
Gandhi also linked inflationary pressures to global factors, including geopolitical tensions in West Asia, but accused the government of failing to shield ordinary citizens. He alleged that while common workers bear the burden of rising costs, powerful business interests remain unaffected.
Further criticizing recent labour reforms, he claimed that new labour codes have increased working hours to 12 hours a day without proportional wage growth, calling the situation unjust.
“This isn’t greed—it’s a demand for dignity,” Gandhi said, emphasizing that workers asking for ₹20,000 per month are simply seeking a basic standard of living.
Government Responds with Wage Revision
Following the unrest, the Uttar Pradesh government announced a revision in wage structures, dividing new rates into three categories:
Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida)–Ghaziabad
Cities with municipal corporations
Other districts
The revised interim wages are set to take effect from April 1. However, many workers remain skeptical, noting that their actual pay depends on factory owners rather than government announcements.
A garment factory worker in Noida stated that despite media reports of revised wages, there has been no official communication or implementation at the factory level.
Allegations of Conspiracy
State authorities have also raised concerns about possible external influences behind the protests. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suggested that attempts to revive Naxalism could be linked to the unrest.
Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar described the situation as a “well-planned conspiracy,” citing recent arrests of suspected individuals in Meerut and Noida allegedly connected to handlers in Pakistan. He stated that agencies are investigating whether disruptive elements exploited the protests to destabilize law and order.
Workers Remain Unconvinced
Despite political backing and government assurances, workers continue to express dissatisfaction. Many argue that wage revisions on paper mean little unless enforced at the factory level.
For now, the situation highlights a growing tension between workers’ economic realities, political narratives, and administrative responses—raising broader questions about labor rights and income inequality in India.
