NOIDA: A protest by factory workers over low wages turned violent in Phase 2 of Noida on Monday, with vehicles vandalised and one set on fire, officials said, even as the district administration later announced a fresh set of safeguards for industrial workers. Police said large groups of employees gathered during a demonstration demanding a salary hike, following which the situation escalated. “Several vehicles were vandalised, and at least one vehicle was set on fire during the protest,” officials said. Incidents of stone pelting were also reported, causing damage to property in the area. Heavy police force was deployed to bring the situation under control, they added. Authorities said the situation is being monitored and efforts are underway to restore normalcy. The unrest came after two days of protests by factory workers over low minimum wages in the industrial belt. In response, the Noida administration on Sunday announced a series of measures aimed at addressing worker grievances. “It announced a compulsory weekly off for all workers, double pay for overtime and work on weekly holidays, annual bonus before Nov 30, salary disbursal by the 10th of every month, medical cover, workplace safety measures and a formal complaints system to address harassment.” The decisions were taken at a joint meeting at the Noida Authority office in Sector 6, attended by district magistrate Medha Rupam, Authority CEO Krishna Karunesh, police commissioner Laxmi Singh and other officials. Senior labour department officials, including principal secretary MKS Sundaram and labour commissioner Markandey Shahi, joined virtually. District magistrate Rupam said the administration had been holding talks with industrial units over the past few days. She said factories had been asked to ensure a weekly off for every worker and pay double if anyone is made to work on that day. Overtime, too, must be paid at double the rate. The administration also said workers would be paid their annual bonus before November 30. A committee headed by a woman will be set up to address complaints of harassment. Officials said factories must ensure workers are treated with dignity and provided medical cover and safe working conditions. The protests had intensified in Phase 2 after Haryana raised monthly minimum wages from ₹14,000 to ₹19,000, a jump of about 35%. In Uttar Pradesh, however, the minimum wage remains around ₹13,000, a gap that has fuelled resentment among workers in Noida’s factories.
