Bhubaneswar, May 1 (IANS): Odisha on Friday hiked to Rs.200 the minimum wages for daily labourers engaged in various industries and other construction activities in the state.

Announcing the hike on May Day, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said unskilled labourers would get Rs.200 per day while the wages of semi-skilled labourers have been increased to Rs.220.

The minimum wages for skilled and highly skilled labourers have been fixed at Rs.240 and Rs.260 respectively, Patnaik said.

The new wages will be made effective after publication of the notification in the Odisha Gazette, sources said. The minimum wages were revised in tune with recommendations of the Wage Advisory Board.

Acknowledging the contribution of labourers in making of nation, Patnaik said the state government has initiated an action plan for the benefit of labourers in the state.

He also stressed on to work for the betterment of labourers and hoped that a conducive environment would be created for them.

Patnaik said the government is working for elimination of child labour in the state.