The All Odisha Contractors’ Association on Tuesday alleged that the State Government has increased the minimum wage of labourer to Rs 200 at the behest of some industries in the State. “Firstly, the Union Government has fixed Rs 280 as minimum wage for labourer for Odisha. Secondly, no labourer in Odisha, particularly in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other major cities, is working with Rs 200 per day now. He/she is getting more than it. Then on what ground did the Government fix the minimum wage at Rs 200IJ” questioned association president Pravat Dash.
He alleged that the Government hiked the minimum wage only to protect the interest of some companies/industries. “The industries will hire labourers at Rs 200 each instead of Rs 250 and Rs 300 in the name of Government decision and will exploit them,” alleged Dash. On May 1, the State Government has hiked the daily minimum wage for an unskilled labourer to Rs 200 from Rs 150, Rs 170 to Rs 220 for semiskilled workers and Rs 190 to Rs 240 for skilled workers.
Dash further alleged that many Nabakalebar projects are being delayed intentionally only to loot funds and also slammed the State Government for showing favours to big firms from outside the State at the expense of the interests of Odia contractors. “All the infrastructure works in big Government projects are being awarded to two West Bengal firms while small contractors in Odisha have been deprived of any opportunity to work. Similarly, construction of 94 buildings of three Government-run medical colleges were awarded to big outside firms instead of Odia contractors,” alleged Dash.