Minimum wage hike in UP likely to cover 74 categories of workers

Lucknow: Those employed at private libraries, coaching centres, pharmacies and nursing homes, clubs, brick kilns, domestic workers supplying agencies and petrol pump attendants are among 74 categories of workers who will be covered by UP govt’s recommendations to effect an interim increase in minimum wages.“The move is likely to provide a wide coverage, bringing relief to workers employed in diverse sectors such as commercial establishments, factories, aerated drink manufacturing units, tin printing presses, furniture units, private coaching centres and textile weaving houses, among others,” a source in the labour dept said.The list of beneficiaries includes workers engaged in manufacturing activities such as rubber and plastic products, glass, cement goods, metal fabrication, garments, handloom and zari work, bakery and biscuit units, paper and cardboard industries, and small engineering units.Agro-based industries such as rice mills, flour mills, oil mills and dairy units are also covered.Construction and infrastructure-related workers — including those involved in road construction, irrigation projects, pond excavation, stone crushing — would also gain from the revised wages.In addition, the order extends to transport and mechanical services like automobile repair workshops, transport companies and logistics operations.The services sector forms a significant part of the coverage. The notification is also expected to encompass a large number of workers in informal and support services, including carpentry, tailoring, cloth dyeing, housekeeping, sanitation and private security services.Sources said that the intent behind the interim revision is to provide relief to workers amid rising living costs while ensuring a broad-based impact across sectors.The inclusion of both traditional industries and emerging service segments reflects an effort to cover a wide spectrum of the workforce in the state.Meanwhile, senior officials continued to camp in Gautam Budh Nagar to closely monitor the situation. Authorities said appropriate steps will be taken to maintain law and order, alongside the implementation of the wage revision.The interim wage increase is to be effective from April 1, as per state govt’s decision, and the official order for its implementation will also contain detailed guidelines on implementation to follow.