Noida Protest Highlights: Noida firm says workers' protest driven by misinformation about wages

The high-level committee constituted to address the Noida company-worker dispute is expected to reach a resolution by tonight. The Chief Minister is closely monitoring the dialogue with all stakeholders, according to sources. CM Yogi Adityanath will conduct a comprehensive review of the entire matter tonight.

(With inputs from Samarth)

Protesters created a massive ruckus at Vipul Motors, an authorised Maruti Suzuki service centre, located in Sector 63 of Noida.

According to eyewitnesses, the protesters arrived at the scene armed with sticks and clubs, targeting the vehicles parked there. During the incident, 4 to 5 vehicles were set ablaze, while the windows of approximately 20 to 25 vehicles were smashed.

(With inputs from Bhupendra Chaudhary)

Taking to X', Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's charge that the agitation could be a conspiracy. "If this is indeed true, did your intelligence police accompany you to Bengal for election campaigning, or were they engaged in botanical research?"he quipped. 

Following CM Yogi's directives, the Labour Department has formed a committee to resolve industrial discord. The Industrial Development Commissioner will serve as the chairman of the committee. The Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and the Principal Secretary for Labour and Employment will serve as members of the committee. The committee will also include five representatives from labour unions and three representatives from entrepreneurs' associations.
 

(With inputs from Samarth)

Noida Police have registered an FIR against Congress Social Media Coordinators Mir Ilyas and Anushi Tiwari for claiming on their X account that 14 people had died and 32 were injured.

(With inputs from Santosh)

"This is a broader labour issue affecting multiple industries in Noida and some other cities, driven by misinformation being spread about wage revisions," said the company in a statement filed with the exchanges. 

Speaking at a rally, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that the ongoing labour protest in Noida is a conspiracy to disrupt the state's growth and development. 

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai criticised the state government over its handling of the situation regarding the Noida workers' protest, saying visuals from outside the Motherson Group facility were “disturbing”.

In a post on X, Rai said rising inflation and alleged wage exploitation were pushing workers to the streets. “Advertisements cannot fill empty stomachs, and tear gas shells cannot answer hunger,” he said, urging Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to address workers’ demands instead of resorting to force.

(with inputs from PTI)

Speaking on the Noida factory workers' protest, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that injustice is being driven by rising inflation and unemployment. He held the Yogi Adityanath government responsible for the violence, questioning why workers’ demands were not addressed in time.

Yadav also asked why Uttar Pradesh was lagging behind other states in implementing wage hikes when workers elsewhere had already benefited from salary revisions.

Following incidents of violence and arson by factory workers in Noida, a large police deployment has been made across affected areas in the city.

Eight companies of PAC and RAF have been stationed, with additional forces called in from nearby districts to strengthen security.

Joint CP (Law and Order) and ADM officials visited the incident and arson sites to assess the situation on the ground.

Quick Response Teams (QRT) have been deployed at Motherson Group and other sensitive locations, with night patrols also being intensified to maintain law and order.

(with inputs from Arvind Ojha)

Traffic in Noida is gradually returning to normal in several areas after Noida factory workers' protest turned violent over salary hike demands.

In some industrial pockets, minor congestion is still being reported, but crowds have been cleared from most locations.

Authorities said the situation is now largely under control and traffic movement has been restored in many parts of the city.

(with inputs from Arvind Ojha)

Officials, including the Deputy Labour Commissioner, Additional DCP and other administrative authorities, have reached Noida's Phase 2 to hold talks with workers amid the ongoing protest for better pay.

The move came after violence erupted in Noida earlier today, with protesters vandalising several vehicles and setting parts of some companies on fire during the demonstrations.

(with inputs from Bhupinder Chaudhary)

A demand for higher minimum wages that began in Gurugram earlier this month has spread across Delhi-NCR, including Noida and Faridabad, triggering protests and violence in several industrial areas.

The agitation started on April 3 at the Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India plant in IMT Manesar, where thousands of contract workers demanded a hike in minimum wages. By April 6, thousands of workers across Manesar had announced a strike. They argued that wages had not kept pace with inflation, making it difficult to afford essentials like food, rent and fuel.

The protest soon spread to over a dozen companies, including units of Richa Global Exports, with workers citing rising costs of living and stagnant pay. Tensions escalated after police action, leading to clashes, arson and vandalism.

Though Haryana later announced a wage hike of up to 35% effective April 1, workers alleged the information did not reach them in time. According to Transport Minister Anil Vij, revised wages now range from Rs 15,220 for unskilled workers to Rs 19,425 for highly skilled workers.

While there is an atmosphere of calmness in Manesar, protests have intensified in Noida, where workers in Phase 2 and sectors 59–62 have turned violent, demanding similar wage revisions.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna has warned of strict action against anti-social elements involved in the Noida factory workers' protest.

At the protest update from Noida Phase 2, workers have reiterated that they are not seeking overtime but a salary hike, alleging pressure from the administration.

Speaking from the protest site, Rajeev Ansari, a worker, said employees are demanding monthly wages in the range of Rs 18,000-Rs 20,000.

(with inputs from Bhupinder Chaudhary)

Factory workers in Noida have begun storming multiple factories, forcing evacuations of employees and vandalising property one after another.

Even as police and authorities try to calm the situation, employees from several other units have joined in, stepping out to protest and escalating the unrest.

(with inputs from Anshul Singh)

A commuter who is travelling to his office in Noida has been stuck in the city for the past half an hour due to the ongoing factory workers' protest.

He told India Today TV that no autos or cabs are willing to enter Noida from Ghaziabad. Those available are charging nearly three times the usual fare.

Factory workers' protests over salary hike demands have intensified across several parts of Noida, turning violent in some areas. Demonstrations broke out in Sectors 59 and 60, where agitating workers vandalised vehicles, smashing the windows of at least two cars and setting two motorcycles on fire.

The unrest led to disruption of industrial activity, with work coming to a halt in several factories in Sector 59 as employees joined the protests. Heavy security deployment, including police, PAC and RAF personnel, has been made in affected areas to maintain law and order.

(with inputs from Arvind Ojha)

Several factory workers, including those from the Motherson Group, are protesting for better salary payment in Noida and Faridabad. Here's a bit of some information about the company.

Motherson Group is a leading global, diversified automotive component manufacturer headquartered in Noida. Founded in 1986, it is ranked among the top 15 automotive suppliers worldwide, specialising in wiring harnesses, vision systems, modules and plastic components for passenger/commercial vehicles.

The company operates multiple automotive manufacturing units in Delhi-NCR, focusing on wiring harnesses, dashboards and polymer components. Key offices and manufacturing plants are located in Sector 127 Noida (corporate), Sector 64/66 Noida and on the Mathura Road in Delhi.