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Agriculture

Uttar Pradesh Government Revises Minimum Wage Rates for Agricultural Workers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a landmark decision revising the minimum wage rates for adult workers engaged in agricultural activities across all districts. With a new daily minimum wage of Rs.252 (Rs.6,552 per month) for agricultural workers, this decision is set to benefit lakhs of workers involved in traditional farming, allied sectors, and support work. The government aims to provide greater financial security and a more dignified standard of living for rural workers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The revised minimum wage rate of Rs.252 (Rs.6,552 per month) applies to all types of farming activities across UP, including traditional farming, mushroom cultivation, and transporting crops to markets.
  • The new wage structure covers allied sectors such as dairy farming, animal husbandry, beekeeping, poultry farming, and all related support work.
  • Wages can now be paid in cash, partly in cash, in kind (such as farm produce), or through digital modes, with a condition that the total wage must not be less than the newly set minimum rate.
  • To protect short-term workers, the hourly wage rate must not be less than one-sixth of the daily wage.
  • The government will treat higher payrolls as the new minimum wage for workers who were already being paid more than the new minimum wage.
  • The decision reflects a fundamental change in Uttar Pradesh's labour policy, aiming to improve the quality and consistency of labour in agriculture and strengthen the state's commitment to inclusive development.
  • Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized that protecting workers' rights is a top priority for his government.
  • The state has registered crores of unorganised workers through the e-Shram portal and connected them to government welfare schemes.

Statistics:

  • Minimum daily wage: Rs.252
  • Minimum monthly wage: Rs.6,552
  • Daily wage for short-term workers: At least one-sixth of the daily wage.
  • Number of workers to be benefited: Lakhs
  • New wage payment modes: Cash, partly in cash, in kind (farm produce), or digital modes

Sources:

  • [1] Hindustan Times, "Uttar Pradesh government revises minimum wage rates for agricultural workers", published by HT Digital Content Services

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