The Uttar Pradesh government announced an interim wage hike of up to 21% following violent worker protests in Noida, aiming to address wage disparities and rising cost-of-living concerns.

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• The Uttar Pradesh government implemented an interim increase in minimum wages across worker categories after protests in Noida escalated into unrest over low pay and poor working conditions.
• The highest wage hike of around 21% applies to workers in Noida and Ghaziabad, reflecting the region’s industrial importance and intense labour dissatisfaction.
• Unskilled workers’ wages increased from ₹11,313 to ₹13,690 per month, while semi-skilled and skilled workers also received substantial salary revisions.
• Other regions received lower increases, with municipal areas seeing around 15% hikes and remaining districts receiving approximately 9% increments in minimum wages.
• The wage revision has been made effective from April 1, 2026, as an interim measure until a broader wage restructuring policy is finalized.
• The protests were driven by wage disparities with neighbouring states like Haryana, where workers were reportedly earning significantly higher salaries for similar work.
• Despite the announcement, many workers continued protests, demanding higher wages and better working conditions, indicating that the hike may not fully address their concerns.
• The government clarified that claims of a ₹20,000 minimum wage are incorrect, aiming to counter misinformation that contributed to worker unrest.