JAIPUR/ALWAR: Worker unrest that began in industrial hubs of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana has now spread to neighbouring Bhiwadi, Rajasthan’s industrial belt, with fresh protests hitting three more factories Thursday.Hundreds of workers during the agitation in the factory premises of Nippon in Kahrani, Kumi Industries Pvt Ltd in Khushkhera, Relaxo Footwear in Bhiwadi and Suprajit Engineering in the Pathredi-Chopanki belt pointed out the state’s unsustainable low minimum wage structure that lags neighbouring states.Being part of the National Capital Region, Bhiwadi shares the industrial ecosystem of Haryana, which recently raised the wages by 35%. A similar hike was implemented in Uttar Pradesh, with factory workers in Noida and Ghaziabad now getting a 21% higher wage after the stir.
Large groups of workers gathered at entry points of industrial units, with some blocking approach roads and disrupting movement of goods and employees. The protests, which have now continued for more than two weeks in phases, have prompted police deployment at sensitive industrial clusters to maintain law and order.Senior district officials Thursday held a meeting with the representatives of labour unions, Bhiwadi industrial associations, to prevent escalation and ensure that production activity is not severely impacted.At Nippon Company, workers said their key demands included a monthly salary of Rs 20,000 for an 8-hour duty and an increase in overtime pay.At Nippon Company, Manisha Sharma, a worker who came from Allahabad, said, “Other companies are paying Rs 20,000 for an 8-hour duty, but here we get only Rs 7,000. There is no provision for bonus on Holi or Diwali. Double the amount is deducted for taking leave, which is completely wrong.” Sandhya, another woman worker sitting on dharna, said, “Leave is not granted when needed, and no bonus is given either.”Yogendra Sen, another worker, voiced broader concerns regarding salary standards. “According to the new rules of the central govt, salaries should be increased. We should be receiving Rs 20,000 for an 8-hour workday; instead, we are only getting between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000. The management is in the wrong,” he alleged. “Workers completing their shifts are being forced to work extra hours, and if we fall ill, we are not granted leave or even given a gate pass.”Companies have already begun discussions with workers, and some have agreed to incremental increases. “While wage disparities within the National Capital Region cannot be ignored, industrial harmony is important. The industry is ready to pay what workers in the neighbouring states are getting. But MSMEs cannot afford large, uniform wage revisions,” said Jasbir Singh Rana, president of the Bhiwadi Manufacturers Association.“While wage disparities within the National Capital Region cannot be ignored, industrial harmony is important. The industry is ready to pay what workers in the neighbouring states are getting. But MSMEs cannot afford large, uniform wage revisions,” said Jasbir Singh Rana, president of the Bhiwadi Manufacturers Association.The current wave of protests is believed to have been triggered by earlier agitations at industrial units in Noida, particularly at Motherson India, which later spread across parts of Haryana before reaching Bhiwadi.While tensions continued at several factories, the dispute at Motherson Sumi Wiring India Limited in Pathrhedi was resolved Wednesday after police and administrative intervention. Following a day-long standoff at the factory gate and three rounds of negotiations, workers and management reached an agreement late at night on a wage increase of ₹3,370. The protest ended after workers received written assurance.Hundreds of workers during the agitation in the factory premises of Nippon in Kahrani, Kumi Industries Pvt Ltd in Khushkhera, Relaxo Footwear in Bhiwadi and Suprajit Engineering in the Pathredi-Chopanki belt, pointed out the state’s unsustainable low minimum wage structure that lags neighbouring states.The company’s HR Vipin Kumar addressed the workers at the gate saying that if the conduct of any employee or official was found to be inappropriate, an inquiry would be conducted, and the aggrieved party would have the right to file an FIR.
