Roads Blocked, Cars Burnt: Yogi Adityanath Issues Directives On Noida Workers' Protest

Noida: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has implemented strict new rules, providing significant relief to workers in the industrial areas of Noida and Greater Noida. Private companies will now mandate double overtime, timely payment of salaries, and direct deposit of bonuses into bank accounts. 

What did Uttar Pradesh CM say?

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that workers must get their due and industries must follow labour laws. 

"Every worker in Uttar Pradesh should be assured a respectable wage, a safe working environment, and basic amenities. Industrial units should strictly adhere to labor laws, and workers' problems should be resolved in a timely manner. All Industrial Development Authorities should establish direct communication with industrial organizations, industry representatives, and unit management within the next 24 hours to ensure prompt resolution of problems," he said.

Yogi Adityanath, however, also directed authorities to take strict action against anti-social elements trying to instigate workers.

The state labour department has been asked to hold talks with local authorities and industrial units. 

"Those creating nuisance in the name of workers must face strict action and security must be beefed up in industrial areas," the Chief Minister said, claiming that people must be careful of a "conspiracy to revive almost-dead Naxalism".

Were the guidelines issued?

Following the instructions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Gautam Buddha Nagar administration has issued these guidelines to all industrial units. 

The District Magistrate had announced these rules in a meeting with industry representatives.

What are the rules?

According to the rules, double overtime pay will be applied, meaning workers will receive double their normal wage for extra work. No deductions will be made from overtime. 

Every employee will receive one mandatory day off per week. If work is required on Sundays, double pay will be paid on that day as well. Salaries must be paid in one installment by the 10th of each month. Salary slips must also be provided to employees. Annual bonuses must be deposited directly into employees' bank accounts by November 30.

What about instructions for women's safety?

The administration has also issued strict instructions to companies regarding the safety of women employees. Each unit must establish an internal complaints committee headed by a woman, install complaint boxes, and establish a control room or helpline at the workplace. 

What is the reason of Workers protest?

The workers in Noida have been staging violent protests for the past few days demanding a wage increase, which has now alerted the Yogi Adityanath administration.

The protesting workers had raised several demands, including bonus payments, weekly offs, overtime pay, and timely salaries. They also called for the formation of a sexual harassment committee, a grievance cell, and the issuance of salary slips.

What happen on Monday?

Numerous videos of violent protests by workers in Noida are surfacing. In a video from Noida Phase 2, angry workers are seen vandalizing a police van. They overturned the van and set it on fire. Workers were also seen pelting stones.

What did officials say?

The District Magistrate stated that violations of workers' rights will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The relevant departments have been instructed to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance and maintain industrial peace in the district. It will also be ensured that workers who wish to work do not face any inconvenience.

Earlier, Noida district magistrate Medha Roopam had also appealed to workers not to heed rumours. 

"All worker brothers and sisters, please reach your workplace peacefully and carry out your work, and cooperate in maintaining harmony and law and order in the district. Do not pay attention to rumours. For workers' assistance, Control Room Numbers: 120-2978231, 120-2978232, 120-2978862, 120-2978702," she said. 

The district administration had announced a set of measures on Sunday, including weekly offs, overtime pay and a complaints system, to ease tensions in the industrial belt. Despite this, the protests turned violent following reports of a woman employee being injured.