Sharath S. Srivatsa
Mahadevappa A., a casual worker at a factory in Jigani, was elated when in April 2025, he was informed of an impending hike in his salary after the government notified increase in minimum wages across sectors of employment.
Nearly a year later, his mood, and that of thousands of workers like him, is no longer upbeat. The notification proposing the hike has remained a draft, with the government dithering on finalising the wage hike.
In his late 30s and a native of T. Narasipura in Mysuru district, Mahadevappa has been working as a casual worker for nearly two decades now. His current gross salary is about ₹15,300 per month, and he had his hopes pinned on the hike to cope with escalating cost of living. “The rent is high and add to it the high school fee. Cost of every food item has gone up too. How do you expect a family to lead a decent life with what we earn?” he asked. He and many of his colleagues have been taking up overtime jobs to earn additional income, but at the cost of social life. His spouse also takes up odd jobs to augment the family income.
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