Fresh unrest broke out in Noida’s Sector 80 on Tuesday morning as workers of the Ahuja factory staged a violent protest over wage issues. The situation turned chaotic when protesters allegedly pelted stones at the police force attempting to disperse the crowd. The area has now been heavily fortified with police personnel to prevent further escalation.

Why are the workers protesting? Despite the state government’s announcement on Monday to hike minimum wages by up to ₹3,000 (effective from April 1), the laborers expressed deep dissatisfaction. Their primary demands include:

• A minimum wage of at least ₹20,000 per month.
• Increased rates for overtime work and a mandatory weekly off.
• The display of the government-mandated wage list at factory gates.

Allegations of Exploitation: Protesters alleged that the current rates—₹13,690 for unskilled and ₹16,868 for skilled workers—are unjust. They also accused factories of terminating employees after nine months of service to avoid pay raises, replacing them with new staff. While traffic remains normal on the Delhi-Noida link road, the police are on high alert due to Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations and the ongoing volatility in the industrial belt.