Noida was rocked by violent protests on Monday as a wave of agitation demanding a hike in minimum wages spread from Gurugram’s industrial belt across Delhi-NCR, with workers in the city taking to the streets and triggering violence across several industrial sectors. The agitation began in Gurugram’s industrial belt earlier this month, successfully resulting in a wage increase in the Haryana city, prompting workers in Noida to take up the same demand.

The protest sparked on April 3, when thousands of workers at the Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India(HMSI) plant in Industrial Model Township (IMT), Manesar, staged a protest outside the factory gate, demanding an increase in minimum wages.

The demand quickly spread to nearly a dozen companies in IMT Manesar. Similar protests were reported at multiple plants of Richa Global, a major textile exporter, along with participation from thousands of temporary workers at other firms, further intensifying the agitation.

In the following days, employees from more than a dozen companies in IMT Manesar announced a strike beginning April 6. Workers said their wages had not kept pace with rising inflation, pointing out that LPG cylinder prices had risen by Rs 500, while essentials such as pulses, rice, flour and cooking oil had become increasingly unaffordable.

On April 8, India Today published a report highlighting workers’ struggles, including how they were surviving on Rs 11,000 per month, managing children’s education, and coping with rising rents. After these concerns reached the state government, the Haryana government the same day announced a revision in minimum wages for both unskilled and skilled workers.

However, the district administration failed to effectively communicate this decision to workers.

Despite the wage revision, prohibitory orders under Section 163 (Section 144) were imposed in IMT Manesar. The next morning, when striking workers gathered at factory gates and raised slogans, police and officials present at the spot did not inform them about the revised wages and instead resorted to force. A lathi charge followed, triggering violence as some workers set police patrol vehicles and motorcycles on fire and vandalised company property.

As the situation escalated, the administration on April 10 used CCTV footage to identify those involved and registered cases against around 56 alleged rioters. All were arrested and sent to jail. While the situation in IMT Manesar has since calmed, anger persists among workers, and a fresh protest has been called in Gurugram on April 16.

Meanwhile, the Haryana government announced a 35 per cent increase in minimum wages, effective April 1. Under the revised structure, unskilled workers will receive Rs 15,220, semi-skilled workers Rs 16,780.74, skilled workers Rs 18,500.81, and highly skilled workers Rs 19,425.85, according to Anil Vij.

These developments set the stage for similar unrest in other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR).

The agitation subsequently spread to Noida and Faridabad. In Noida, protests had already been underway for two to three days. On Monday, demonstrations in Phase 2 turned violent, with vehicles set on fire and incidents of stone pelting reported.

Protesters also entered factories in several areas and vandalised property. Echoing the demands raised in Haryana, workers in Noida called for a revision of minimum wages.

Violence was reported from Phase 2 and Sector 60, where vehicles were torched, property damaged and stones hurled. The protests disrupted traffic, leaving thousands of commuters stranded during the morning rush hour, with long queues of vehicles stretching several kilometres along routes leading to Delhi.

Officials said a large number of workers from various industrial units gathered to press their long-pending demand for wage revision and raised slogans during the demonstrations. Similar protests were also reported from Sector 62 and Sector 84, including at a Motherson Group unit. Protesters also blocked National Highway 9.

The situation soon spiralled, with sections of protesters engaging in vandalism, stone pelting and arson, further escalating tensions in the region.

- Ends

Inputs by Neeraj Vashisht

Published On:

Apr 13, 2026 14:51 IST