India’s first Agniveers
3,000 Agniveers passed trial by fire during Operation Sindoor
At least 3,000 Agniveers - barely 20 years old and recruited during the last two years - manned critical weapons and systems integral to the army’s hardy air defence (AD) shield activated during Operation Sindoor, which Pakistan could not punch through. The Agniveers helped operationalise the locally developed air defence control and reporting system, called Akashteer, which emerged as the centrepiece of India’s AD grid during the clash. Several of the AD units that fended off the Pakistani missile and drone attacks had 150-200 Agniveers each in their ranks, HT learns. They specialised in four main trades: gunners, operator fire control, operator radio and drivers of heavy-duty vehicles mounted with guns and missiles, the people said. They excelled in each of these roles.
Employment News
Labour participation: Revamped PLFS data should help policymaking
The National Statistics Office (NSO) last week released the first monthly bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), underscoring that India’s official statistics are beginning to meet the demands of a fast-growing economy. Although not directly comparable with earlier labour statistics, owing to a change in methodology, the bulletin showed India’s unemployment rate for people aged 15 and above at 5.1 per cent. The unemployment rate in urban areas stood at 6.5 per cent as against 4.5 per cent in rural areas.
Gig economy surges 38% in FY25 as firms tap project-based talent
Despite global economic uncertainties, the demand for consultants and project-based talent witnessed a significant surge of 38% in FY25, surpassing previous years' growth. Technology continues to lead the demand, followed by strategy, business development, and finance. Consultant sign-ups have also soared, with a notable increase in younger professionals valuing independence and project variety.
Report reveals delayed wages are a key factor to mismatch between MGNREGS coverage, delivery
A study by LibTech India revealed that while the coverage of MGNREGS has increased with 8.6% rise in registered households under the programme, the delivery of promised employment has actually gone down. Among the key factors leading to an overall employment drop are the inadequate allocation of budget and extraordinary delay in wage payments reported from across the country. Both issues have been highlighted on various platforms. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development in the past has raised concerns over reduction in budget allocation by the Union government and its effect on the progress of the scheme.
In the Courts
Supreme Court: No Reservation Without Submitting Caste Certificate in Prescribed Format
The Supreme Court has said in a ruling that candidates seeking reservation under a specific category must submit their caste certificate in the format prescribed in the recruitment advertisement. A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan, dismissed an appeal by a candidate applying for a position with the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB). The candidate had submitted an OBC certificate in a format meant for central government jobs instead of the state-prescribed format.
Quitting your job too soon could come at a price: This is what Supreme Court just ruled about resignation penalties
Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that employers can impose penalties on employees who break minimum service tenure agreements or resign before the time period specified in their employment contract. While there's no set time frame, contracts must be reasonable and not against public policy.
News from States
Odisha To Remove Bangladeshis From State Workforce In Major Crackdown
A massive operation is already underway to identify Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally in the state. "We have a stated position to identify Bangladeshis staying illegally in Odisha. Now, we will make sure that no Bangladeshi is engaged through any outsourcing company in the state," said Prithviraj Harichandran, state law minister. The decision comes amid rising security concerns in the wake of the massacre of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
Uttar Pradesh Govt Targets Child Labour-Free State By 2027; 12,426 Children Rehabilitated, ₹18.17 Crore Aid Provided To Bonded Labourers
Lucknow: In a structured effort to eliminate child labour, the Uttar Pradesh government has set an ambitious target to make the state completely child labour-free by 2027. The campaign, centered on education, awareness, and rehabilitation, is being executed at scale across the state’s urban and rural landscapes. As part of this initiative, 10,336 child labourers have been identified, with significant progress made in rehabilitation.
The Gig Economy
Govt hosts first-ever meet with gig workers
New Delhi: In a historic move aimed at improving the welfare of gig and platform-based workers, Delhi's Minister of Labour, Kapil Mishra, chaired the first-ever meeting with gig workers and representatives from leading platform companies, including Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Uber, UrbanClap, and BigBasket. The meeting, held at the Delhi Secretariat, focused on ensuring social, medical, and economic security for workers in the gig economy.
Karnataka eyes gig fund rollout by August end; labour dept engages platforms to fix fee
The Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill 2024 has been sent by the government to Raj Bhavan with a request to issue an Ordinance. The rules will suggest differential rates of fee for services, such as ride hailing, food delivery and online retail.
Gig workers to get AC waiting rooms in T Nagar, Anna Nagar
Chennai: Gig economy workers waiting in public spaces amid dust, traffic and heat may soon get relief as Greater Chennai Corporation has proposed air-conditioned waiting rooms for them. The corporation has floated tenders worth 50 lakh to build two such facilities one on GN Chetty Road in T Nagar and another on Third Avenue in Anna Nagar.
Grab honours gigsters
In a world where more and more people are turning to gig work to make a living, Grab Philippines and motorcycle taxi operator MOVE IT recently held a concert to recognize the people who keep their platforms running, who are the drivers, riders, and small business owners who show up every day. For the past decade, Grab has become one of the biggest platforms for gig workers in the country. The event, called the Saludo Partner Appreciation Concert, was Grab’s way of doubling down on its promise to make gig work in the Philippines safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable — not just for the short term, but for the long haul.
Labour Reforms
Labour codes' rollout: Centre nudges states to get in driver's seat
Several states have now gone ahead proactively in amending their labour regulations to align with key industry demands. At least 20 states and UTs have increased the threshold for retrenchment without government approval from 100 to 300 workers — a longstanding demand of industry. "The nudge by the Centre to have states amend their existing laws is part of the government's efforts to advance ease of doing business and attract investments and create job opportunities, without getting entangled with the labour unions, which have adopted an obstinate and adamant stance while dealing with the question of labour reforms," a senior official told Business Standard. "The government is ready to talk on all provisions, if unions provide some constructive feedback, rather than engaging in consultations with a zero-sum-game approach."
Battles Won
Samsung announces mutual agreement to enhance wages and benefits for workers
Following worker unrest over higher wages, improved working conditions, and formal recognition of their union, the CITU-backed Samsung India Workers' Union and the Samsung India management engaged in several rounds of discussions. The state government too intervened to sort out the issues.
Labour Unions
Trade Unions defer general strike against Labour Codes to July 9
A meeting of the joint platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) in the Opposition camp held in New Delhi on Thursday (May 15, 2025) has decided to postpone the general strike earlier announced to be held on May 20. The CTUs said in a statement that considering the prevailing situation throughout the country after the Pahalgam terror attack, they had decided to reschedule the strike against the implementation of the four Labour Codes to July 9.
Sangh Parivar-backed trade union boycotts SCO meet on labour issues, faces flak
The meeting was organised by the All China Federation of Trade Unions. Leaders of other CTUs, such as All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have attended the meeting. Sangh Parivar-backed trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has boycotted the first meeting of the trade union leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries held in Beijing on May 15 and May 16. BMS national secretary Pawan Kumar told The Hindu that the decision to boycott was taken as China supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
Migrant Realities
‘It is like living in a nightmare that never ends’: Lost near the LoC
The recent conflict between India and Pakistan has left migrants in Kashmir’s border areas jobless, stranded and afraid for their future. Many seasonal migrants seek work every year in local businesses in these parts that are heavily dependent on tourism. The administration’s decision on closure of 48 major tourist destinations and the conflict that followed has not only hit these businesses, but also wiped out work and wages of workers, who are now deeply anxious, as they dip into their savings to stay afloat.
How Jalna’s young changemakers are protecting children from migration’s fallout
In the drought-prone district of Jalna, where poverty and migration disrupt childhoods, a quiet revolution is taking place. A group of young people, known as Balmitras (friends of children), are stepping up to protect the most vulnerable. These youth volunteers, aged 18 to 29, ensure that children left behind when their parents migrate for work are not left alone, unsupported, or unsafe.
Research
Irregular Migration to the United States: From Aberrations to Deportations
In 2023, an estimated 97,000 Indians arrived illegally in the U.S., taking complicated routes, traversing multiple countries or even oceans. India’s periodic labour force data helps to explain the curious case of irregular migration from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat to the U.S.