Catherwood LibraryILR School

Approximately 180 million workers across India began striking on Friday in protest of the government’s lackluster minimum wage increase for unskilled workers. Protesters included state bank employees, school teachers, postal workers, miners, and construction workers. Many of the country’s unions are calling on the government to guarantee social security and healthcare for all workers, as well as increasing the minimum wage to meet inflation. Some states, however, have boosted their minimum wage levels in excess of monthly targets of 9,100 rupees ot 13,598 rupees (a change from approximately $136 to $204 USD). The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, says that the reforms are necessary to increase growth in the country.