Migrant Realities
Video: Lockdown Push To Migrant Tech Apps
The job crisis during the pandemic five years ago led to the creation of mobile apps connecting workers to jobs.
In the Courts
Andhra Pradesh High Court calls for data pertaining to ‘sewer deaths’ from 1993
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the Commissioner of Municipal Administration to collect data pertaining to the death of workers during the cleaning of sewers from all the municipal corporations, municipalities and other local bodies from the year 1993, in order to pay compensation and rehabilitate their families as per norms. The court posted the matter for further hearing to July 16.
Manual Sewer Cleaner's Death : Supreme Court Summons Haryana Chief Secretary Over Failure To Consider Claim For Compensation
Recently, the Supreme Court passed an order summoning the Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, to remain personally present in the Court after it found that the Government of Haryana failed to comply with the Court's order directing them to decide the representation of a petitioner for compensation of Rs. 30 lakhs after her husband died on account of inhaling poisonous gas while cleaning sewer tanks.
Profiles
Shepherd's son gets word of UPSC success while grazing sheep, family gifts him lamb
Beerappa Siddappa Doni from Emage, who secured the 551st rank, heard the news while he was grazing sheep in a field in Nanawadi, near Belagavi. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah personally called and congratulated Beerappa on his achievement. An elated Beerappa expressed his ambition to become an IPS officer. Meanwhile, the residents of another village across the border in Karnataka were also celebrating -- and for the same reason. Hanumanthappa Yellappa Nandi, the son of another shepherd from Kodliwad in Belagavi, bagged the 910th rank.
AI and Jobs
How a(i) typical day at work affects neurodiverse talent
Neurodiversity hiring, which involves bringing in people with conditions such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD to the workforce, has hit a speedbump as businesses embrace artificial intelligence and automation. Repetitive and pattern-based tasks, such as manual testing and data entry that are seen as suitable for neurodiverse persons, are among the ones that AI is replacing first.
News from States
Clear fields along border in next 48 hrs, BSF tells farmers after Pahalgam attack
Amritsar/Ferozepur: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday issued an urgent directive to farmers along the India-Pakistan border to complete harvesting and clear their fields within 48 hours, as tensions escalate following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists last week. Farmers in Punjab cultivate approximately 45K acres of land across a 530km-long border.
Maharashtra govt scraps Re 1 crop insurance; switches back to old system
Facing allegations of irregularities, bogus claims and financial burden, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday scrapped the Re 1 crop insurance scheme launched two years ago. It will now be replaced by the old scheme: PM Crop Insurance Scheme.
Nagaland cabinet revokes own order regularising 147 contractual employees
Kohima: In a rare move, the Nagaland Cabinet on Wednesday revoked its own order that had regularised the services of 147 contractual assistant professors and librarians under the Directorate of Higher Education, following sustained protests and concerns over procedural lapses.
Delhi minimum wage highest among neighbours
The Delhi government last week raised the minimum wages of workers in all the categories, and the new regime came into effect retrospectively from April 1, 2025. While it bodes well for the workers, the move further widens the gap with its neighbouring states, which experts believe may increase the flow of migrants to the national capital. Now, the monthly wage of unskilled workers in Delhi stands at ₹18,456, while skilled workers (graduate and above) will get ₹22,411. In terms of daily wage, this translates to ₹710 and ₹862 respectively.
बदलाव की बयार:30 से 52 साल की महिलाएं भी स्टार्टअप के लिए आईटीआई के कोर्स कर रहीं
राजस्थान के अजमेर की महिला आईटीआई में मां और बेटी दोनों अलग-अलग कोर्स में एक साथ ट्रेनिंग ले रही हैं। आठवीं-दसवीं पास कोर्स में बड़ी संख्या में डिग्री वाली 30 साल से अधिक उम्र की महिलाएं नए हुनर सीख रही हैं। बीएससी और एमए बीएड जैसी उच्च डिग्री प्राप्त ये महिलाएं यहां आत्मनिर्भर बनने और कई तो स्टार्टप की योजना के साथ यहां आई हैं। इन महिलाओं का रुझान कॉस्मेटोलॉजी, स्विंग टेक्नोलॉजी जैसे कुछ ट्रेड में ही है।
The Gig Economy
A Rs100 Crore Company Built by Gig Workers, for Gig Workers – Redefining Entrepreneurship in Bangalore
From top management to operations, every leader at Scootev has risen from the gig workforce. The decision-makers are the same people who once navigated the city on two wheels, making deliveries, running errands, and hustling for their next ride. This unique model has created an ecosystem where gig workers are not just employees–they are partners, leaders, and visionaries shaping the future of electric mobility.
Should One Even Consider Making Domestic Work Part of the Gig Economy?
Apps to hire domestic workers reinforce the perception that household work should be done inexpensively by unskilled labour, and undermine the struggle for rights and fair wages. When Urban Company launched its Insta Maid service, later renamed as Insta Help, in March, it stirred a significant controversy exposing the thin line between innovation and exploitation in bringing the concepts of platform or gig work to this sector.
Delivery riders sweat through the gap between corporate hype and reality
Despite companies asserting they provide adequate support, many workers report poor earnings, limited access to rest, and a lack of basic summer relief measures. Delivery personnel said that while they have the option to take breaks, it limits their opportunity to earn additional income through incentives. Delivery partners typically earn bonuses after completing a certain number of orders within a set time frame.
Layoffs and Hirings
Fourth wave of fresher layoffs at Infosys sees 195 exits
This brings the total number of fresher exits to over 800 out of the around 2,000 onboarded last year. In February, the company verified it had laid off around 350 trainees due to their inability to clear internal assessments. This was followed by the termination of approximately 45 more trainees in March, and around 240 additional exits about two weeks ago.
Hire & Higher: India Inc’s top deck appointments grew 9.5% in FY25
India Inc witnessed a 9.5% surge in top leadership hiring in FY25, driven by expansion plans and investor activism. CEO hires constituted half of top leadership appointments, while business head hiring grew significantly too. Established cos dominated leadership hiring, while startups saw a decline. The share of women leaders in C-level roles saw a slight increase.
Livelihoods
A billion-dollar market rooted in muddy ponds and manual labour
Farmers in Bihar’s districts of Darbhanga, Mithila and Madhubani cultivate fox nuts or makhana manually in waterlogged fields and shallow ponds…There is no machinery available for body protection and this impacts farmers’ health by exposing them to cuts and stings leading to infections, and long-term physical strain. But foxnut cultivation has grown steadily more lucrative. In 2023, the global fox nuts market stood at $44.4 million and by 2030, it is projected to reach $97.5 billion, with India, the largest producer...accounting for over 81% of the global revenue. In the 2025-2026 budget the govt announced that a Makhana Board would be established in Bihar to increase production, ensure fair trade practices and support farmers with better market access.
Advent of AI
Algorithmic management of work led to decline in job quality. ILO
Algorithmic management (AM) in India has led to a decline in job quality, with “clear” evidence of increased monitoring, surveillance and work intensity, noted the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its latest report. Citing a 2024 joint study by ILO and European Commission, the report notes that while AM technologies had a positive impact on work organisation in countries like France and Italy, with no significant negative effects on job quality, in South Africa and India, it led to a decline in job quality.
