Bhubaneswar, 09 October (H.S.): The Odisha government has increased the daily minimum wages of unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers by ₹6, with the revised rates coming into effect from October 1, 2026.

According to a notification issued by the Office of the Labour Commissioner, Odisha, the revision follows an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for industrial workers and the corresponding adjustment in the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA).

The CPI, with 2016 as the base year, rose from 147.50 to 149.80 during the previous half-year, registering an increase of 2.30 points. Under the existing formula, VDA is revised twice a year, on April 1 and October 1, at the rate of ₹2.60 for every point increase in the CPI. This has resulted in a uniform ₹6 increase in the daily VDA for workers covered under the state's minimum wage notification.

Under the revised structure, the daily minimum wage for unskilled workers has increased from ₹472 to ₹478. Semi-skilled workers will receive ₹528, up from ₹522, while the rate for skilled workers has risen from ₹572 to ₹578. For highly skilled workers, the daily minimum wage has increased from ₹622 to ₹628. The revised rates include VDA.

The notification was issued by Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathy, IAS, under the authority of the state government's order No. 5308, dated July 18, 2024, which revised the basic minimum wage structure.

The revision is expected to provide some relief to workers amid rising living costs and benefit employees across organised and unorganised sectors in Odisha.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda