Minimum wages hiked in Odisha

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, May 1: In a major relief to workers in the unorganised sector, the Odisha Government announced an increase in their minimum wages on the occasion of May Day or Labour Day today.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the hike in minimum wages at the State level May Day celebrations held at Jayadev Bhavan here.While minimum wage for unskilled workers was increased to Rs.200 per day, the wage for semi-skilled workers was increased to Rs.220, skilled workers to Rs.240 and highly skilled workers to Rs.260 per day.Terming the workers as agents of development, Patnaik expressed hope that a better environment can be created for the workers across the State with the cooperation of all the stakeholders.The Chief Minister also stressed the need for proper implementation of the Action Plan to ensure abolition of child labour and ensure development of the workers at large.He also felicitated five prominent personalities – Dutikrushna Panda, Shivaji Patnaik, Ramchandra Khuntia, Krushna Chandra Patra and Surendra Prasad Ray – by presenting them Biju Shramik Bandhu Samman.They were presented cash prize of Rs.50,000 each.