Policy Changes
In a first, Centre caps MGNREGS spend at 60% for first six months of FY 2025-26
For the first time, the government has capped spending under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) at 60 per cent of its annual allocation for the first half of the financial year 2025–26, The Indian Express has learnt. Until now, the rural jobs guarantee scheme has operated as a demand-driven programme with no such spending limit. Although the Ministry of Rural Development initially resisted the Finance Ministry’s proposal to bring the rural jobs guarantee scheme under the Monthly/Quarterly Expenditure Plan (MEP/QEP)—a spending control mechanism from which it had been exempt so far—the latter eventually prevailed.
Central schemes must pass effectiveness test to continue
Schemes that are fully or partially funded by the Union government will only be continued beyond the current financial year if the “evaluation report for the scheme shows positive outcomes”, proving that it has been “effective” in achieving its set objectives, and if there is a clear need to “continue the scheme in view of its mandate performance or scaling up of targets”, according to Finance Ministry circular issued on June 6.
Centre brings parity in gratuity for NPS, UPS pensioners
As per the new rule, both the categories of pensioners will now be eligible for ₹25 lakh gratuity. The Ministry has also given the employees the option to avail benefits under the old pension scheme (OPS) on death during service or discharge from government service on account of invalidation or disability.
Labour Force Survey for 2026 may include migration trends
The statistics ministry is considering adding migration data to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in 2026. Incorporating migration data is expected to help identify regions with high labour demand and better understand how to improve government policies. This inclusion aims to enhance the effectiveness of welfare schemes like 'One Nation One Ration Card'.
In the Courts
Calcutta HC directs Centre to resume MGNREGA in West Bengal from August
Centre suspended MGNREGA funding to West Bengal in March 2022, citing widespread irregularities in the scheme’s implementation. The Calcutta high court on Wednesday directed the Centre to implement the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from August 1. The court said that the central government can impose any special condition to prevent the recurrence of past irregularities.
Person Working In Society Which Is 'State' As Per Article 12 Not Government Servant : Supreme Court
The bench of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Manmohan was hearing a plea challenging the order of the Tripura High Court, which upheld the dismissal of the petitioner from a government post as 'junior weaver'. The High Court upheld the dismissal, noting that TTWRES was not a government department but a society and the petitioner could not be considered as a government employee in order to be eligible for the post of Junior Weaver.
Women in the Workforce
Bengal: Domestic Workers’ Unions Growing Strong, Yet Fight for Rights, Recognition Goes on
On International Domestic Workers’ Day on June 16, women workers who commute daily to serve the well-off in Kolkata, speak of their struggles and rights. Kolkata: “We have knocked the government’s doors umpteen times, but they remained shut,” Pritha Ta, dejected organiser of the domestic workers union, Paschimbanga Griha Sahayika Union, affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), told NewsClick, about the pending registration of their union.
‘No One Listens To Us’: The Emotional Toll of Work on Women Garment Workers
Last month marked Mental Health Awareness Month, a tradition that began in the United States to spotlight the importance of emotional well-being. But for thousands of women workers in garment hubs like Bengaluru, Tiruppur, and Karur, that conversation can feel far removed from their everyday lives. These women don’t use the language of mental health but that doesn’t mean they’re unaffected. The emotional toll of constant pressure, harassment, job insecurity, and invisibility shows up in ways that aren’t always named or addressed.
Domestic workers urge Union government to enact law for fair wages, social security
Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers Welfare Trust submitted a petition to the State govt. to extend the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act to domestic workers, among other demands In the 25 years that R. Rajeshwari has been a domestic worker, only in the last 10 years did she come to know about her right to a weekly holiday and bonus. “We think domestic work is not important. Back in the village, people don’t value workers who clean the house or the bathroom. But now, we understand the dignity and social security in the work,” she said at an event here on Monday.
Karnataka anganwadi workers to lock centres, boycott work as part of mass protest on July 9
The Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Association affiliated to centre of Indian trade Union (CITU) has decided to shut down the anganwadi centres and boycott work on July 9 as part of the mass protest organised by the anganwadi workers and helpers.
393 anganwadi workers face action over sex-selection abortions in Haryana
GURGAON: The health department has initiated disciplinary action against 393 anganwadi workers for allegedly turning a blind eye to sex-selective abortions, the latest measure in its crackdown on female foeticide after a fall in sex ratio at birth numbers in the state. Haryana has an alarming sex ratio of 910 girls per 1,000 boys, the lowest since 2016.
‘LDF against women, workers’: ASHA campaign against LDF in Nilambur before bye-poll
With the slogan ‘No vote for the government that insulted ASHA workers’ ringing out, protesting ASHA workers in Kerala conducted a door-to-door campaign in the Nilambur Assembly constituency ahead of the June 19 bye-poll.
Migrant Realities
More West Bengal migrants pushed into Bangladesh, repatriated after State’s intervention
TMC MP and Chairperson of the West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board Samirul Islam said seven migrants had been recently pushed into Bangladesh by the BSF, and then repatriated back. Two more migrant workers from West Bengal, who were picked up from Maharashtra and allegedly pushed into Bangladesh by the Border Security Force (BSF), were repatriated to the State on Tuesday (June 17, 2025).
BSF pushed these Bengal Residents to Bangladesh, Mamata Govt. brought them back
VIDEO In this video, we dive into the disturbing story of five Indian nationals—including Mehboob Sheikh from Murshidabad, West Bengal—who were forcibly pushed into Bangladesh by the Maharashtra police. They were accused of being illegal immigrants, even though they had valid documents proving their Indian citizenship. It’s hard to believe that such a serious action was taken without a proper investigation or even checking the paperwork they carried.
Endangered Workers
AICCTU slams Modi govt’s policy, demands evacuation of Indian workers from Israel
The All India Central Council of Trade Unions has criticised the Union government for allegedly ignoring workers in Israel even as it makes arrangements for the return of students. As tensions in West Asia escalate following recent military aggression by Israel against Iran, concerns are mounting over the safety of thousands of Indian workers in Israel.
Employment News
India’s unemployment rate rises 5.6% in May from 5.1% in April
India’s unemployment rate rose to 5.6% in May 2025 from 5.1% in April, as per the latest PLFS data. Joblessness increased in both rural and urban areas, with youth and women particularly affected. The Labour Force Participation Rate declined to 54.8% in May. This marks the second monthly release of labour data covering both rural and urban regions.
Over 7.5 crore jobs created in formal sector in last 7 years: Mandaviya highlights India's employment formalisation progress at ILC
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that India created over 7.5 crore formal jobs in seven years. India is building a strong digital infrastructure and education-to-employment ecosystem. The ILO acknowledged that 64.3% of India's population now has social protection benefits, up from 19% in 2015. India ranks second globally in providing social protection.
Delhi: Indian Youth Congress to organise mega job fair on Rahul Gandhi's birthday
The Indian Youth Congress will hold a job fair in New Delhi on Rahul Gandhi's birthday. Over 100 companies will conduct interviews at Talkatora Stadium. They will offer jobs to eligible candidates. Graduates, undergraduates, and even those who have passed 10th and 12th grades can participate.
32 private companies participate in job fair
Patna: A one-day employment fair, ‘Niyojan Mela', was held on Tuesday at Miller High School grounds by the Regional Employment Exchange under the department of labour resources. Several candidates received appointment letters at the venue while 605 were shortlisted for further interviews. In total, 1,946 CVs were submitted.
Outdoor Workers
Heatwave alerts to reach the most exposed group
New Delhi: To make weather forecasting accessible to workers in the informal sector, India Meteorological Department's daily weather forecasts and heatwave alerts are being shared through community WhatsApp groups. From Thursday, with the help of unions of informal workers, weather message were displayed on posters and handwritten notices at labour chowks, waste segregation points and vending hubs.
PODCAST: The big India melt: from heat stress to the politics of shade
As heatwaves sweep across large swathes of India, Aditya Valiathan Pillai, a doctoral researcher at King’s College London discusses Heat Action Plans of cities and the politics of shade
India’s Working Week
Karnataka Faces Backlash Over 10-Hour Workday Proposal from Bengaluru IT Unions
VIDEO Karnataka proposes extending daily working hours from 9 to 10 under the Shops & Establishments Act, igniting fierce opposition. The IT/ITeS union (KITU) warns of layoffs, mental health risks, and loss of jobs, while broader trade unions warn the change may cost up to 6.8 lakh jobs. The govt urges stakeholder talks before deciding.