Noida Garment Workers Stage Daylong Protest Demanding Wage Parity with Haryana
In a significant display of labor unrest, approximately a thousand contractual garment workers from factories at the Hosiery Complex in Phase 2, Noida, staged a daylong demonstration on Friday. The protest was ignited by a recent 35% hike in minimum wages notified by the Haryana government, which has created a stark pay disparity for workers in neighboring Uttar Pradesh.
Protest Escalates with Traffic Blockades and Police Deployment
The demonstration commenced around 9 am in Phase 2's B Block, where workers, including a substantial number of women, blocked traffic to voice their demands. Police intervened, moving the protesters to a nearby park with assurances that company and administration officials would address their grievances. However, as the day progressed, tensions flared. By afternoon, the protest turned restive, prompting a heavy police deployment of over 1,200 personnel to maintain order.
Workers from several prominent companies participated in the protest, including Richa Global Exports, Sahu Exports, Paramount Exports, Rainbow Fabart, and Anubhav Apparels. The unrest partially disrupted operations across the complex, which houses around 300 factories, affecting productivity throughout the day.
Workers Highlight Stark Wage Disparities and Economic Pressures
Protesters emphasized the significant pay gap, noting that many of their employers also operate units in Gurgaon and Manesar, Haryana. Tularam, one of the demonstrators, stated, "Our current minimum wage for unskilled labor is around Rs 435 a day, while in Haryana it has been raised to Rs 585. We were taken to the park with the promise that company officials would come to listen to us, but no one came."
Another worker, who requested anonymity, echoed this sentiment, saying, "Our companies have branches in Gurgaon and Manesar too. If those workers got a raise, we should get the same. We do the same work." Kumkum, another protester, highlighted the compounding economic challenges, pointing to a parallel LPG shortage: "How do we survive on Rs 11,000 to Rs 13,000 a month when black-market gas is going for Rs 400 a kg and we still have rent and ration to pay?"
Clashes Erupt as Protesters March Towards Dadri Main Road
By 1 pm, frustration boiled over as protesters broke out of the park and began marching towards Dadri main road, causing further traffic disruptions. Police attempted to stop the crowd, leading to clashes. Authorities resorted to a lathi charge as protesters pelted stones, escalating the situation.
Senior officials, including Additional Commissioner of Police Rajeev Narayan Mishra, Additional District Magistrate Manglesh Dubey, and Assistant Labour Commissioner Suyash Pandey, reached the spot to manage the crisis. Despite the tensions, protesters continued their demonstration until around 6 pm at Phase 2's flower market area.
Assurances from Authorities and Dispersal of Protest
The protest eventually dispersed after Assistant Labour Commissioner Suyash Pandey provided a written assurance that the workers' demands would be escalated to higher authorities. Pandey stated, "Noida hosiery complex workers' demands have come after Haryana's wage hike. We have assured the protesters that their demands will be raised to the government."
This protest follows a similar labor demonstration in Gurgaon the previous day, underscoring growing unrest among contractual workers in the garment industry across the National Capital Region. The events highlight ongoing issues of wage inequality and economic hardship faced by laborers in the sector.
