Haryana Raises Minimum Wage After Auto Hub Protests

Haryana has announced a 35% increase in minimum wages for unskilled workers following protests and work boycotts by factory employees in Manesar, one of India’s key auto manufacturing hubs. The move comes amid rising living costs linked to gas supply disruptions caused by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has pushed up food and fuel prices and triggered unrest among industrial workers.

Workers in Manesar, home to major auto and supplier units, staged demonstrations and clashes with police earlier this week, demanding higher wages to cope with soaring expenses. The state government has now raised the monthly minimum wage for unskilled workers from about $120 to $165, effective April 1, aiming to ease financial pressure and restore normal operations in factories affected by the protests.

The wage hike is expected to increase costs for India’s automobile industry, which is already struggling with higher raw material prices and supply chain disruptions. Many companies have started offering meals, bonuses, and incentives to retain migrant workers, as industries fear labour shortages and prolonged production disruptions if workers continue to return to their home villages.

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