New Delhi, April 14 (NationPress) The ongoing demonstrations by the “underpaid” industrial workers in Noida have garnered the backing of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, who emphasized that their demands are “their right and not greed.”

The Congress leader, acknowledging the turmoil in Noida Phase 2, expressed solidarity with the workers' protests, highlighting that their compensation is significantly below acceptable levels—a situation worsened by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

On Monday, hundreds of workers in the Noida Phase 2 region took to the streets, protesting against ‘unreasonable’ working conditions and calling for a rise in minimum wages, similar to the salary increases recently approved by the Haryana government. The protests escalated into violence, resulting in severe traffic disruptions and incidents where some vehicles were set ablaze by the demonstrators.

Addressing the unrest, Rahul Gandhi remarked, “What occurred yesterday was the final cry of this country's workers—people whose voices have been consistently overlooked, who have grown weary from relentless appeals.”

He advocated for a salary structure that reflects the “harsh realities” of living in a metropolitan area, underscoring how their current wages, reportedly around Rs 12,000, are grossly inadequate to cover basic monthly expenses.

“Until wages adjust to match this rampant inflation, life becomes unbearable, drowning them in debt—this is the grim reality of a 'Developed India'?” he stated in a post on X.

Linking the war in West Asia to its repercussions on workers’ livelihoods, he insisted that daily wage earners are disproportionately affected and therefore justified in making their demands known.

Criticizing the government for its heavy-handed response, he stated, “The worker, who bears no responsibility for any conflict and has not shaped any policy—he simply works silently. What does he receive in return for demanding his rightful due? Pressure and repression.”

Gandhi further vowed to support every worker protesting, affirming that they are the “backbone of the country”, yet sadly have been reduced to a burden by the current administration.

“The worker in Noida seeks ₹20,000. This is not an act of greed—it is his right, the very foundation of his existence,” he asserted in a post on X.

Rahul Gandhi also criticized the four labor codes recently introduced by the Central government, arguing that they have only compounded the struggles faced by workers.

He claimed that the government acted hastily without proper consultation, implementing these labor codes starting in November 2025, which increased work hours to 12 hours a day.