On the occasion of International Labour Day, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a daily increase in the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) by Rs 10, effective retrospectively from April 1.
The wage increase benefits four primary categories of workers across the state, bringing their revised daily earnings to the following rates:
- Unskilled Workers: Rs 472 per day
- Semi-Skilled Workers: Rs 522 per day
- Skilled Workers: Rs 572 per day
- Highly Skilled Workers: Rs 622 per day
The CM highlighted the government’s efforts toward the unorganized sector, noting that during the 2025-26 financial year, more than 5 lakh construction workers were registered under the Construction Workers Welfare Board, with over Rs 541 crore disbursed as assistance.
Political Reactions and Opposition Demands
The announcement comes amidst strong demands from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress party to raise the minimum wage to Rs 800 per day.
BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik argued that the current economic climate and rising commodity prices necessitate a higher wage floor for workers in cities. Patnaik also called for the welfare demands of grassroots workers—including ASHA, Anganwadi, Mission Shakti, and Krishi Mitra workers—to be fulfilled, while alleging that current workers’ welfare schemes lack proper implementation.
Additionally, Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam echoed the demand for an Rs 800-per-day minimum wage and criticized the hike in commercial LPG prices announced on Labour Day.
Employment Initiatives and Reverse Migration
Chief Minister Majhi addressed the state’s employment and migrant labor concerns, outlining the following key programs and statistics:
- Reverse Migration: Majhi stated that industrialization has begun creating opportunities at home. He pointed out that workers from cities like Tirupur and Coimbatore have started taking jobs in Odisha’s growing garment sector.
- Job Creation Data: According to the Chief Minister, 92,000 youths have been employed in the private sector over the last 22 months, including 10,000 individuals who returned from other states.
- Shramik Saathi App: The CM lauded the app for making services more accessible to workers and reaffirmed the state’s focus on running helplines for migrant workers.
- Dalkhai Yojana: Majhi announced the launch of the new scheme aimed at providing year-round employment opportunities to curb overwork and secure local livelihoods.
