Telangana Hikes Minimum Wages Across All Worker Categories, Benefiting Over 1.11 Crore Workers

Hyderabad, May 21: In a significant move aimed at improving workers’ welfare and boosting income levels across Telangana, the state government on Thursday announced a revision of minimum wages for all categories of workers. The decision, approved on the recommendation of a Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, is set to benefit more than 1.11 crore workers across the state.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced the revised wage structure while addressing the media, describing the decision as a landmark step in strengthening labour welfare and correcting what he termed as past administrative neglect.

The revised wage structure introduces substantial hikes across unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled categories. For unskilled workers, the minimum wage has been increased from Rs 12,750 to Rs 16,000 per month. Semi-skilled workers will now receive Rs 17,000, up from Rs 13,152 earlier.

Similarly, skilled workers will see their minimum wages rise from Rs 13,772 to Rs 18,500, while highly skilled workers will benefit from an increase from Rs 14,607 to Rs 20,000.

The revised wages will come into effect from June 1, marking a major policy intervention by the state government in the labour sector.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said the decision was taken with a clear focus on ensuring social justice and economic security for workers. He added that the wage revision was long overdue and claimed that the previous government had failed to address the issue adequately, resulting in financial hardships for workers.

The government has also introduced a structured classification system to implement the wage revisions effectively. Telangana has been divided into three geographical zones for this purpose. Municipal Corporations have been designated as Zone 1, Municipalities as Zone 2, and Rural Areas as Zone 3.

According to the Chief Minister, this zonal classification ensures that wage structures are aligned with varying cost-of-living conditions across urban and rural regions, making the system more equitable and practical.

Revanth Reddy also stated that this is the first time since the formation of Telangana that such a comprehensive revision has been undertaken exclusively for the welfare of workers. He said the Congress-led government remains committed to strengthening labour rights and ensuring fair compensation.

The Chief Minister further emphasised that the decision reflects his government’s broader vision of inclusive development and social equity. He said workers form the backbone of the economy and deserve timely policy support to improve their quality of life.

In addition to labour reforms, the Chief Minister also used the occasion to advise youth to rethink their career aspirations. He urged young people not to limit themselves to Information Technology jobs or overseas migration, particularly to the United States.

He said that education without employable skills holds little value and stressed the importance of technical and vocational training. According to him, countries such as Germany, Japan, and Singapore offer significant opportunities for skilled professionals.

To support this vision, the state government has established a dedicated Skills University aimed at equipping youth with industry-relevant training and global employment opportunities.

Revanth Reddy also paid tribute to former Union Minister and veteran labour leader late G. Venkatswamy, recalling his lifelong contribution to workers’ rights. He said the mere mention of labour leadership evokes Venkatswamy’s legacy.

He further praised Labour Minister Vivek Venkatswamy, son of G. Venkatswamy, stating that he has taken commendable steps in advancing the welfare of the working class.

The announcement is being viewed as one of the most significant labour reforms in Telangana in recent years, with expectations that it will improve living standards, reduce wage disparities, and strengthen economic security for millions of workers across the state.

Team Maverick.