Published May 21, 2026 | 4:55 PM ⚊ Updated May 21, 2026 | 4:55 PM
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Under the revised structure, minimum wages for unskilled workers in Zone-I were increased from ₹12,750 to ₹16,000 per month. Wages for semi-skilled workers were raised from ₹13,152 to ₹17,000, while skilled workers would now receive ₹18,500 as against ₹13,772 earlier. Highly skilled workers would get ₹20,000 per month, up from ₹14,607.
The Telangana government on Thursday, 21 May, announced a substantial revision in minimum wages for workers across Telangana, stating that the new wage structure would benefit nearly 1.11 crore workers in the state from 1 June 2026.
Addressing a media conference at the Secretariat, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government had failed to revise minimum wages, resulting in losses to workers over the years. To address the issue, the present government constituted a Cabinet sub-committee.
The panel was headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and included Ministers Duddilla Sridhar Babu and Vivek Venkatswamy. According to the government, the revised wage structure was finalised after consultations with trade unions, labour leaders, industrial managements and other stakeholders.
“The State Government has taken this decision for the well-being of workers by taking into account various factors such as inflation, the rising cost of essential commodities, and house rents. This decision will benefit 1.11 crore workers across the state,” the Chief Minister said.
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The government classified workers into four categories — unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled — while dividing the state into three wage zones. Municipal corporations were placed under Zone-I, municipalities under Zone-II and rural areas under Zone-III.
Under the revised structure, minimum wages for unskilled workers in Zone-I were increased from ₹12,750 to ₹16,000 per month. Wages for semi-skilled workers were raised from ₹13,152 to ₹17,000, while skilled workers would now receive ₹18,500 as against ₹13,772 earlier. Highly skilled workers would get ₹20,000 per month, up from ₹14,607.
The Chief Minister also said the State government was focusing on skill development to improve employment opportunities for youth. Advising young people not to limit their aspirations to the IT sector or opportunities in the United States, he said countries such as Germany, Japan and Singapore offered significant opportunities for technically skilled professionals.
Revanth Reddy said the Telangana government would create mechanisms to support workers migrating abroad and warned them against fraudulent agents.
The Chief Minister said the state was making arrangements to provide specialised training for workers seeking jobs in Gulf and West Asian countries while also coordinating with companies abroad to ensure workers meet specific skill requirements.
He further said the government had strengthened support systems for migrant workers and recalled that in the past, families often struggled to bring back the mortal remains of workers who died abroad.
“Since the people’s government assumed office, it has not only stood firmly in support of these individuals but is also providing compensation of ₹5 lakhs to each of the bereaved families,” he said.
He also added that the government was encouraging youth through the establishment of a Skills University and urged them to focus on acquiring technical expertise and employable skills.
Labour, Employment and Mines Minister G. Vivek Venkataswamy also spoke at the press conference.
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