The Uttar Pradesh government raised minimum wages across worker categories after violent protests erupted in Noida’s industrial belt.
The new rates, effective from April 1, 2026, vary by skill level and region, with Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad receiving the highest pay.
Unskilled workers in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad will now earn Rs 13,690 per month, semi-skilled workers Rs 15,059, and skilled workers Rs 16,868. Other municipal corporation areas will see wages of Rs 13,006, Rs 14,306, and Rs 16,025, respectively, while the remaining districts will offer Rs 12,356, Rs 13,591, and Rs 15,224.
The protests followed demands for parity with Haryana, which recently announced a 35% wage hike. Before the revision, Noida’s unskilled workers earned about Rs 350 per day, compared to Haryana’s Rs 580–Rs 750. The disparity fueled unrest and highlighted long-standing grievances over pay, long shifts without overtime, and a lack of weekly rest.
Officials said the interim hike aims to balance worker demands with industrial stability amid rising raw material costs, reduced exports, and fluctuating demand. The government pledged timely wage payments, social security coverage, and safer workplaces.
