Labour Reforms
States push labour reforms amid delay in notifying codes
With the national labour codes awaiting implementation, several states have proactively amended their labour regulations to align with key industry demands - part of a broader strategy to position themselves as investment-friendly destinations. At least 19 states and UTs have increased the retrenchment threshold from 100 to 300 without govt approval - a demand that industry has been making for two decades. An equal number of states and UTs have also doubled the threshold for workers for applicability of Factories Act to 20 (for units with power) and 40 (for those without power). Ditto for the Contract Labour Act, where the threshold for number of workers for applicability of the law has been raised from 20 to 50.
Maharashtra Cabinet Approves New Wage & Industrial Relations Rules Under Labour Codes
The Maharashtra State Cabinet has approved the Maharashtra Code on Wages Rules, 2025, and the Maharashtra Industrial Relations Code Rules, 2025, aligning with the Central Government's framework of labour codes.
Code Red for workers
As the Centre prepares to enforce sweeping labour codes, trade unions ready for a prolonged battle to defend what remains of worker rights. Implementation of the four codes has been delayed not only because many State governments are yet to frame the necessary rules but also—and perhaps more crucially—because of unease among even pro-government working-class representatives. It is against this backdrop that 10 central trade unions, including unions affiliated to the Congress, the Left parties, and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), have called for a strike on May 20 against the implementation of the codes.
Do India’s labour codes address informal workers’ needs?
But how do these new labour codes address to the needs of unorganised workers? What impact will they have on the working lives of low-income workers? Are there any promising signs for this vast segment of informal workers engaged in precarious occupations across the country?
The Gig Economy
Gig demand swells, but workers are hard to find
Demand for gig workers from companies in consumer, banking and logistics sectors has risen 15-20% in tier II and III cities, but staffing firms said they are hobbled by a rise in cost of relocation of workers from different states, as well as high attrition—sometimes a temp worker may last barely a month, necessitating the added cost of a replacement. "There is a 20% increase in costs in a year's time along with an attrition of at least 25%," said Sunil Chemmankotil, country manager of staffing firm Adecco India. "This means when we get a workforce from other states in northeast or central India to one of the southern states, the workforce stays for a few months (only).
He worked as Blinkit delivery boy for a day, shares shocking 'untouchability' experiences even at Delhi's posh societies
A Delhi resident, Salman Saleem, posing as a Blinkit delivery agent, exposed the prevalent prejudice against gig workers. Despite physical hardships, he faced disrespect from law enforcement and residents, particularly in upscale apartments where he was denied elevator access. Saleem urges companies like Blinkit to launch awareness campaigns, highlighting the need for societal change and equal treatment, irrespective of profession.
Employment News
Country’s unemployment data to be released monthly from May 15 onwards
Starting May 15, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will release India’s unemployment data monthly instead of quarterly, aiming to improve frequency and transparency in labour statistics.
Cos tap Outplacement firms to help find jobs for fired hands
In the last two-three weeks alone, ABC got as many as 10 enquiries from sectors such as social impact, shared services, food processing and pharma--largely triggered by global business shutdowns and restructuring. Most of these were US multinationals, the firm said.
NREGS daily minimum wage unlikely to see sharp increase
The government is unlikely to significantly increase the NREGS daily floor wage beyond the usual annual hike, despite panel recommendations, fearing inflationary pressure. A parliamentary panel suggested raising the wage to ₹400 a day and increasing workdays to 150 annually. The government may scrutinize the scheme's effectiveness, with Niti Aayog evaluating it.
Job scheme blighted by wage delay: 49 lakh claims for payments deferred beyond 15 days
State governments have acknowledged that over 49 lakh claims for wage payments under the 100-day rural job scheme have been delayed beyond the stipulated 15 days, counted from the completion of work. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, minister for rural development Kamlesh Paswan shared the data, highlighting the hardships faced by poor rural workers owing to the payment delay.
Farm News
Intensifying heat waves threaten South Asia’s struggling farmers – many of them women
Sitting in a semi-circle in the yard outside of a village school in Nepal, a group of farmers share their concerns about the future. They discuss how the rain is unreliable – droughts and floods are both becoming more common. The heat is overwhelming before the rains come. All of the young farmers in this schoolyard are women, most in red saris. As climate change, and particularly heat waves, worsen for South Asia’s farmers, women are increasingly left to try to make crops grow in the oppressive heat.
Farmers outfits issue call to burn effigies of Modi, Trump, Vance as mark of protest against trade treaty
U.S. wants unregulated access for its agribusiness corporations to operate in India and this will hit the peasants hard, says Samyukt Kisan Morcha.
Livelihoods
Exodus, cancellations and loss of livelihood: Pahalgam an attack on Kashmir tourism
As over 20 tourists lose their life, the repercussions of a terror attack such as the one that took place in Pahalgam has the potential of derailing tourism-linked industries like airlines, hotels, restaurants and shops.
Diamond polishers in Surat face a rougher grind as US tariffs cut deep
More than nine out of 10 diamonds worldwide are polished in Surat, making it a global hub for diamond finishing. Surat's roughly 5,000 diamond units depend heavily on large export markets such as the US—a country whose tariff policies are making them anxious. "The short-term impact of such tariff structures means that the India-US diamond and jewellery trade will come to a standstill. Everyone goes into wait-and-watch mode since there are multiple aspects to study," said Rajat Wani, regional director—Surat, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
Working Conditions
To address demand of loco pilots, Railways fitting toilets in engines
Waterless urinal facilities provided in 883 locomotives since 2018, wherever feasible, says Ministry; 7,075 locos fitted with ACs; toilets being fitted in all new locos, older ones being retrofitted, says official. Though the Railway Board recently found a demand of loco pilots for a toilet break while running trains to be not “operationally feasible”, the Railway Ministry has said it is trying its best to ramp up urinal facilities in locomotives.
Benefits for Workers
What the state must do for the unskilled aged
India must look after a generation of non-literate and unskilled wage labourers as they reach old age. With increasing nuclearisation of families even in rural areas, old persons living by themselves on a few days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), free food-grains, and a paltry pension, are not uncommon. Older people reporting for MGNREGS work is also a reality in states like Punjab where market wages are high. All this points to the gaps in our social security system and its ability to secure a life of dignity for the old. With time, this need for care is going to get bigger as ageing with higher life expectancy is a reality.
Caste in Employment
Andhra SC sub-categorisation ordinance gets Cabinet nod: How this will impact reservation in state
Against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s verdict allowing states to sub-classify Scheduled Castes, the Telugu Desam Party-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh on November 15, 2024 formed a commission to study SC sub-categorisation in the state. The report was adopted unanimously in the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly and the ordinance has been drafted. Leaders of SCs, and STs, and BCs say that it is important to provide reservations based on the numerical strength of the various sub-castes, rather than give a consolidated quota for all of them based on their overall population.
Outdoor Workers
Amid heatwave forecast, cos step up efforts to protect delivery workers from heat
As India anticipates a scorching summer, companies like Amazon, Flipkart, and Eternal are enhancing protections for delivery workers. These measures include increased rest stops, hydration provisions, and heat protection gear. Companies are also offering insurance coverage for heatstroke and adjusting work schedules to avoid peak heat hours, ensuring the well-being of this growing workforce.
The Coaching Industry
Consumer protection watchdog warns coaching centres against misleading ads ahead of IIT-JEE results
The Central Consumer Protection Authority has cautioned coaching centres. They must avoid misleading advertisements. This warning comes as IIT-JEE results are approaching. The CCPA emphasizes transparency. Coaching centres should accurately represent student achievements. They must avoid guaranteeing success. The authority has already penalized several centres for violations. These actions aim to protect students from unfair practices.