Orissa hikes minimum wage for workers

Bhubaneswar — Orissa has hiked the minimum wage for workers from the existing Rs.55 per day to Rs.70 from January next year.

Making a statement in the state assembly Tuesday the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that the labour rate has been hiked by Rs.15 in all categories. While unskilled labourer will get now Rs.70 from the existing Rs.55 per day, semi-skilled workers will get Rs.80 from existing Rs.65.

Similarly skilled workers will now get Rs.90 in place of Rs.75, he said. Patnaik also announced that the new rates are also applicable to people working under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

NREGA is a gigantic employment scheme launched by the federal government that guarantees 100 days work in a year to a family.

“People have been migrating to neighbouring states for better wages. The latest hike will help them to stay in their native places,” a senior official of the state labour department said.