Odisha CM Majhi hikes daily wages by ₹10, registers 5 lakh workers on Labour Day

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 1 May 2025 announced a ₹10 per day increase in variable dearness allowance for workers, effective retrospectively from 1 April 2025, during a special event marking International Workers' Day in Bhubaneswar. The announcement came alongside a series of labour welfare measures, including identity card distribution to 6,000 construction workers and disbursement of ₹150 crore in assistance to beneficiaries.

Revised Daily Wage Structure

Following the ₹10 variable dearness allowance hike, daily wages across skill categories have been revised upward. Unskilled workers will now earn ₹472 per day, semi-skilled workers ₹522, skilled workers ₹572, and highly skilled workers ₹622. The revision applies with retrospective effect from 1 April 2025, meaning eligible workers will receive arrears for the month of April.

Construction Workers and Welfare Initiatives

Chief Minister Majhi highlighted that in financial year 2025–26, more than 5 lakh construction workers have been newly registered under the Construction Workers' Welfare Board, with assistance exceeding ₹541 crore disbursed to them. He also noted that special measures have been introduced to extend social security coverage to workers in the unorganised sector. Services are being delivered through the 'Shramik Sathi' mobile app, which the Chief Minister described as functioning smoothly.

Tackling Distress Migration

Addressing the long-standing issue of distress migration — locally referred to as the 'Dadana system' — Majhi said large-scale industrialisation within the state would resolve the problem in the coming years. He pointed to early signs of reverse migration, noting that Odia workers who had previously moved to cities like Tiruppur and Coimbatore are returning to work in Odisha's textile industry. He said the government is also launching the 'Dalkhai Yojana' to ensure year-round employment within the state and further curb distress migration.

Employment and Private Sector Growth

The Chief Minister said that within 22 months of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government assuming office, approximately 92,000 youths have secured employment in the private sector. Of these, around 10,000 have returned from other states and are now working in Odisha. Majhi added that a dedicated helpline system is in place to provide prompt support to migrant workers.