Workers who initiated protests at various factories in Noida on Friday expressed their dissatisfaction over wage disparities compared to their colleagues in Haryana, as reported by several demonstrators to The Indian Express on Monday morning.
The protest, which has been ongoing for four days, intensified on Monday, resulting in incidents of vandalism and arson throughout Noida’s industrial sector.
This unrest follows labor disputes in Manesar, Haryana, prompting the state government to announce a revision of minimum wages, effective April 1, 2026, last Thursday.
Anuj Kumar, 20, an employee of the garment export firm Richa Global via a contractor, stated that workers had raised their concerns with the general and human resources managers at their Noida facility on Friday. Richa Global also operates in Gurgaon.
“We are employed by the same company, so why are our wages different? I earn Rs 11,000 a month, while workers in Manesar have seen their salaries rise to Rs 18,000. We learned about this through friends and social media,” Anuj remarked.
He added, “The company representatives informed us that our pay would only increase by Rs 361 starting in April, advising us to address this issue with the government instead of the company.”
On Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh government introduced various initiatives aimed at worker welfare, which included mandatory double overtime pay and prompt salary disbursements. A spokesperson for Richa Global chose not to comment on the situation.
On Monday, protests escalated with workers throwing stones at the gates of Motherson, an automotive parts manufacturer located in Sector 84. A large contingent of workers also blocked the road outside Staunch Electronics in Sector 83, allowing only an ambulance and a school bus to pass while halting other vehicles. Witnesses noted that protests at both locations had been ongoing since Friday.
“We have been requesting salary increases for years,” stated Rahul, a soldering technician. “We learned from social media that some workers in Manesar secured a pay raise through protests. We believed we could achieve the same result,” he explained.
Workers raised concerns about a monthly salary deduction of Rs 550 for an “ITI diploma,” which they doubted even existed, claiming they are merely required to take annual tests. “They just make us take tests every year,” Rahul added.
Workers also voiced frustrations over rising rents and inflation, which they said were putting a strain on their finances. “Landlords raise rents annually. This year, mine increased by Rs 300. After work, I return home to cook on a traditional stove because I can’t afford gas. If I can’t gather firewood after work, my family goes hungry that night,” lamented Renu, who participated in the protest outside Staunch.
Several female workers reported that workplace conditions were unsanitary, highlighting the lack of clean bathroom facilities for dozens of employees. “If we complain, we are told it’s our fault that the bathrooms are dirty,” remarked one protester.
Other workers claimed they were not supplied with sufficient safety gear, with the costs for aprons and slippers being deducted from their wages. They also reported long working hours with little to no days off.
“We are expected to work 26 days a month with one day off, but they often require us to work on Sundays as well. If we refuse, they deduct a day’s pay. Even when we work all 30 days, we do not receive overtime pay or even our full salaries. They claim there are issues with our attendance, such as improper clocking in,” Rahul stated.
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