NOIDA, India: Thousands of factory workers across northern India have staged protests in recent days, highlighting growing pressure on wages and working conditions in the country’s industrial sector.
The demonstrations, centred in Noida near New Delhi, saw workers block roads and call for higher pay, improved benefits and stricter enforcement of labour regulations.
Many of those involved are contract workers employed in small manufacturing units, earning between 10,000 and 15,000 rupees per month.
The unrest has spread to other industrial regions, with authorities responding to some protests using crowd-control measures and making arrests.
Economic strain on workers
Workers say wages have not kept pace with rising living costs, leaving little room for savings. Many report long working hours with limited overtime compensation, adding to frustration.
Experts note that wage disparities between states and inconsistent enforcement of labour laws have contributed to the situation. Minimum wages vary across regions and are often not regularly updated, creating uneven pay structures even within similar industries.
“The workers just don’t trust their employers anymore,” said Rajesh Kumar, a trade unionist.
At the same time, small businesses say they face challenges in meeting wage demands due to tight margins. Industry representatives warn that sudden increases in labour costs could strain operations in smaller factories.
The protests also reflect broader pressures in India’s labour market, where a large proportion of workers are employed in the informal sector with limited job security.
