14 April,2026 01:55 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Rahul Gandhi. File Pic
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he stands with the protesting workers in Noida, describing their agitation over minimum wage demands as a reflection of wider economic distress faced by labourers.
His remarks come amid ongoing workers' protests over minimum wage demands, which turned violent on Monday with stone-pelting and vehicles being set on fire after an altercation with police.
In a post on X, Congress MP wrote, "What happened yesterday on the roads of Noida was the final cry of this country's workers--one whose every voice was ignored, who grew weary from endless pleading. A worker in Noida earns a monthly salary of Rs12,000; rent costs Rs4,000-7,000. By the time he gets a Rs300 annual raise, the landlord hikes the rent by Rs 500 a year."
Gandhi said rising inflation and stagnant wages are choking workers and deepening debt, calling it the "truth of developed India," as he voiced support for protesting labourers.
He also criticised the impact of global economic pressures and government labour reforms, claiming workers are being forced into long working hours and financial distress while industrialists remain unaffected.
"Until the salary catches up, this runaway inflation chokes life out of him, drowns him in the depths of debt that's the truth of "Developed India." A female worker said, "Gas prices keep rising, but our salaries don't." These people probably shelled out Rs 5,000 for a cylinder just to light the stove at home during this gas crisis. This isn't just about Noida. And it's not just about India either. Fuel prices are skyrocketing worldwide the supply chain has snapped due to war in West Asia. But America's tariff wars, global inflation, the breaking supply chains--the burden hasn't fallen on Modi ji's "friendly" industrialists," the post read.
"One more crucial issue the Modi government, in a hasty move without consultation, implemented 4 Labour Codes starting November 2025, extending work hours to 12 hours a day. The worker who stands for 12-12 hours every day, yet still takes loans to pay his kids' school fees is his demand unreasonable? And the one crushing his rights every day is that "development"?
Noida's worker is demanding Rs 20,000. This isn't greed it's his right, the sole foundation of his life. I stand with every such worker who is the backbone of this country, yet has been reduced to a burden by this government," the post further read
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