Labour Reforms
India’s labour reboot | Work expands, life contracts
Several states in India have introduced legislation or passed ordinances increasing the working hours per day from eight to 10-12 hours a day. Maharashtra is the latest to extend the working day, following in the footsteps of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tripura, and Odisha (all 10 to 12 hours). Uttar Pradesh has exempted factories from most labour laws for a period of three years. The extension of the working day violates the labour standards set by ILO Convention number one, which stipulates an 8-hour working day. India is a signatory to the convention.
National minimum wage unchanged for eight years
The non-binding National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW) has remained unchanged since 2017, a situation that could worsen the income crisis among vast sections of population, mainly daily-wage workers. Proper and timely revision of NFLMW by the Centre, typically conducted once every two years and factoring in the rise in the consumer price index for industrial workers (CPI-IW), would have enabled millions of workers in sectors like plantations and services to benefit from the economy’s buoyancy and escape poverty, provided states has followed the norm. Barring a couple of states, most of the states keep minimum wages for many ‘scheduled employments’ lower than the NFLMW.
Employment News
Tech majors keep count up despite one outlier
India’s top IT firms added just under 1,000 jobs in Q2FY26, a sharp slowdown driven by TCS’s major headcount cut. While TCS shed nearly 20,000 roles, others hired over 20,000, focusing on freshers and AI talent. Experts say the industry is reshaping teams to balance cost, skill and future tech needs.
More than 2,000 picked by 17 cos on job fair Day 1
Gorakhpur: On the opening day of the two-day international job fair at Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur on Tuesday, around 17 companies participated and a total of 2,065 candidates were selected or shortlisted based on their qualifications.
मनरेगा में 100 दिन रोजगार की गारंटी अधूरी, पांच साल में 600 लोगों को भी नहीं मिला पूरा काम
गोपालगंज में मनरेगा योजना के तहत 100 दिन के रोजगार की गारंटी पूरी नहीं हो पा रही है। पिछले पांच सालों में, औसतन 48 से 60 हजार लोगों की मांग के बावजूद, 600 लोगों को भी 100 दिन का काम नहीं मिला। वर्ष 2024-25 में केवल 513 लोगों को यह काम मिला। जॉब कार्ड धारकों का कहना है कि कुछ ही लोगों को काम मिल पाता है और मजदूरी भी कम है।
Women in the Workforce
‘Bricks were thrown… one hit my head. My whole team was surrounded’: Inside the high-stakes world of Delhi’s women crime fighters
Female Police Officers Delhi: They were once on the margins of police investigations, confined to handling cases of crimes against women. Today, Delhi Police’s women sleuths are leading from the front: busting drug syndicates, cracking down on human trafficking, and tackling financial fraud and cybercrime. Though the Delhi Police does not tick all boxes of gender equality, the growing presence of women in investigative roles reflects institutional progress and personal resilience.
Farm News
In Haryana’s Palwal, FIR filed against farmers for stubble burning
In the last three days, Haryana Police has booked two farmers for alleged stubble burning in villages of Palwal, officials said. On Wednesday, a first information report (FIR) was filed by Palwal Police against Harvir — a farmer from Ronija village — for burning crop residue in Kithwari village fields on the day of Diwali. Palwal Police then filed another FIR against Jeetram on Sunday for alleged stubble burning in Janauli, and a fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed, officials said.
‘Jailing farmers doesn’t help anyone’: After floods wrecked harvest, Punjab stares at the parali puzzle
As Punjab’s farmers struggle to complete delayed paddy harvests due to one of the worst floods in recent times, they face yet another pressure – to quickly clear fields to make way for Rabi crops. But with rising concerns over stubble burning’s contribution to Delhi’s pollution, farmers have to turn to the state’s crop residue management (CRM) policy. which uses alternative methods to manage stubble that don't cause pollution. Paddy stubble, commonly known as parali, are turned into compact straw bales which are then used to generate electricity. A private firm that collects straw bales from local farmers for generating electricity aims to collect around 10,000 to 14,000 tonnes this year from this area (adjoining villages)… Punjab’s markets have seen a surge in CRM machinery, including straw balers, happy seeders, and rotavators.
Ludhiana farmers face losses as discoloured paddy remains unlifted
Farmers in areas including Jodhan, Raikot, Narangwal, and a few other villages are worried about the non-lifting of yellow-colored paddy from the mandis. They alleged that the government procurement agencies were lifting only the clean produce, while the discolored grain continued to lie unattended. Farmers fear that once the lifting begins, cuts will be imposed by the agencies and arhtiyas, leading to financial losses.
Mizoram’s iskut farmers get neither organic nor chemical fertilisers
Sihphir village was famed for its bountiful harvest of iskut (chayote) and we would export 20–30 truckloads daily to Silchar in Assam. But over the years, rainfall has become erratic and unpredictable, and we also lack access to fertilisers that could replenish our soil with essential nutrients. The horticulture and agriculture departments used to provide it earlier either for free or at subsidised rates, which we greatly benefitted from. But now we are dependent on private dealers who send off the fertiliser to Myanmar because demand is greater there.
Layoffs and Hirings
Meta to cut around 600 roles in Superintelligence Labs AI unit
(Reuters) - Meta (META.O), opens new tab is cutting around 600 positions out of the several thousand roles in its Superintelligence Labs, the Facebook owner said on Wednesday as it looks to make its artificial intelligence unit more flexible and responsive. The job cuts will affect Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) unit, as well as teams focused on product-related AI and AI infrastructure, the company said.
Migrant Realities
Jeans Jihad': How communal politics pushed UP's migrant tailors out of Delhi
VIDEO: Over 200 factories in Khayala in West Delhi have shut and about 15,000 migrant workers have lost work following allegations of them being illegal Bangaldeshi migrants and Rohingyas.
Migrant workers flock to Surat station ahead of festivals
Thousands of migrant workers gathered at Surat railway station to return to their native places in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh ahead of Diwali and Chhath… Commuters complained about the limited number of trains, although railway authorities said that 77 special trains were notified from Udhna this year, compared to 66 during last year's festive season.
Exporting Workers
West Bengal government seeks urgent repatriation of 11 migrant workers stranded in Oman
These migrant workers from Murshidabad, who had gone to work in Oman roughly 11 months back, were allegedly deceived by the recruiting agency and were left stranded without recourse…after they went to Oman, the recruiting agency did not keep their word and these workers stopped receiving salaries for the last 9 months. Soon enough they were left stranded and were wandering without recourse according to Trinamool Congress MP and chairperson of the West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board, Samirul Islam.
Policy Changes
Saudi Arabia abolishes Kafala system for immigrants, grants new rights to millions
Saudi Arabia has officially abolished its 50-year-old Kafala system, a labour sponsorship framework that tied migrant workers to employers. This reform, effective June 2025, allows approximately 13 million foreign workers to change jobs and leave the country without sponsor approval, enhancing their rights and mobility.
Labour’s Immigration Policy Raises English Language Bar for Migrants; Faces Backlash
New Delhi: Migrants applying to work in the United Kingdom are about to face stricter English language requirements. According to a report by The Independent, UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced that migrants seeking work in Britain will soon need A-level standard English proficiency.
Centre asks states to form policies to end forced labour
The Union labour ministry has asked states to frame individual policies to utilise a federal scheme to rehabilitate forced workers and prevent human trafficking. Under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, state governments bear the responsibility of identifying, releasing and rehabilitating people compelled to work as modern-day slaves. The Constitution outlaws forced labour.
The Gig Economy
Scammed, scolded, shamed: The stories gig workers can’t tell you
Eat first, lie later. Show fake payment screenshots, file false complaints. Some entitled customers are gaming the system and making gig workers pay the price. Through impatience, privilege, and sometimes plain deceit, some customers are quietly chipping away at gig workers’ earnings and self esteem.
Contract Workers
Tejashwi Yadav takes on NDA's Jeevika Didi scheme with permanent job promise
Announcing big poll promises, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav promised Rs 30,000 salary for Jeevika Didis, loan waivers and insurance coverage if his party forms government in Bihar.
Benefits for Workers
EPFO Board approves simplified withdrawals, Vishwas Scheme to reduce litigation
In a major step towards member convenience and digital transformation, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), chaired by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, on Monday approved several key reforms including simplified withdrawal norms, a new penal damages settlement scheme, and a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap under EPFO 3.0.
EPFO rule change: What's new in PF withdrawals and how it affects you
Confused about the new EPFO rules? This guide covers every update, from withdrawal limits to pension changes, in one place.
Finance ministry directs PSBs to tackle staff stress, set up corrective measures
Government is urging public sector banks to tackle employee stress. This follows concerns over work pressure, targets, and staff shortages. Banks must now identify issues and create clear action plans. These efforts will be part of the EASE 8.0 reforms agenda. The focus is on building a resilient and engaged workforce. Banks are launching well-being initiatives and health index surveys.
Model labour squares to provide better working condition for daily wage workers
Prayagraj: The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced plans to construct Model Labour Squares at major intersections across the city to improve working conditions for thousands of daily wage workers. Many intersections, identified as ‘labour points,' have no provision for shelter, seating, drinking water, or sanitation facilities. Under the proposed plan, each Model Labour Square will be equipped with these amenities.