Odisha CM Announces Wage Hike on Labour Day
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi marked International Labour Day with a significant announcement, raising the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) by Rs 10 effective from April 1.
The revision increases daily wages to Rs 472 for unskilled, Rs 522 for semi-skilled, Rs 572 for skilled, and Rs 622 for highly skilled workers.
The CM highlighted that over five lakh construction workers are registered under the Construction Workers Welfare Board, with more than Rs 541 crore disbursed as assistance in FY 2025–26.
He also pointed to reverse migration, noting that workers are returning from Tirupur and Coimbatore to Odisha’s garment sector.
Majhi stated that 92,000 youths have been employed in the private sector in the last 22 months, including 10,000 returnees.
He praised the Shramik Saathi App for providing helplines and services to workers and announced the launch of the Dalkhai Yojana to ensure year‑round employment.
Meanwhile, opposition parties demanded a higher minimum wage of Rs 800 per day.
BJD leader Naveen Patnaik emphasised the need for better welfare for grassroots workers such as ASHA, Anganwadi, Mission Shakti, and Krishi Mitra.
Congress leader Rama Chandra Kadam echoed the Rs 800 demand and criticised the Labour Day LPG price hike.
