News from States
Bihar government doubles compensation to families of migrant workers killed while working in other states
The Bihar government this week doubled the compensation given to the families of migrant workers killed while working in other states and enhanced the amount given to the survivors of accidents. The state is the largest contributor of the labour workforce across the country. The next of kin of the migrant workers dying in other states will now get Rs 2 lakh instead of the existing amount of Rs 1 lakh. Those who become fully disabled in an accident will be provided a grant of Rs 1 lakh instead of the previous Rs 75,000.
Kerala govt to launch Athidhi portal for registration of migrant workers
Kerala government has launched a user-friendly web portal ‘Athidhi’, for the registration of migrant workers in Kerala.. Athidhi is a centralised platform to collect and manage worker details to ensure safety and to provide social security benefits to the migrant workers. The portal will allow the government to address the grievances against sexual crimes committed by migrant workers against children.
Assam ASHAs Stare at Bleak Future
On May 23, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of Assam started a four-day statewide protest demanding recognition, salary instead of the honorarium and clearance of one-time payment for retired workers and helpers. More than two months after the Assam protest, the demands haven’t been met with ASHAs as vulnerable as ever, EastMojo reported.
Powerless and Precarious: Struggles of Surat's Power Loom Workers
Due to low wage rates, workers are forced to live in sub-optimal conditions, residing in shared bachelor rooms, mess rooms, or on the worksite itself. Through this article, we analyse the wages and working and living conditions of a sample of 70 power-loom workers in Surat, chosen conveniently from different work categories, and compare this with their welfare gains in terms of the growth in real wages.
Layoffs and Hirings
Reliance Industries sees major employee turnover in FY23, hires 2+ lakh new workers
In the fiscal year 2023, Reliance Industries (RIL) experienced a significant change in its employee strength. Many employees chose to leave the company voluntarily during this time. This included workers from both the telecom arm Jio and the retail segment, Reliance Retail. RIL’s annual report revealed that out of the total departures, 41,818 were from Jio, and a larger group of 1,19,229 came from Reliance Retail. Despite the departures, RIL actually increased its overall workforce. It hired a significant number of new employees, with 262,558 fresh hires in FY23.
MPL to Lay Off 350 Staff; Attributes Cost Cutting to Rise in GST Burden
Online real money gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) said it is letting 350 of its employees go, blaming it on an up to fivefold increase in expected tax outgo as a result of the GST Council’s decision to levy a 28% tax on the sector on full face. The layoff will account for nearly half of MPL’s team, people in the know said, underscoring the impact of the increase in tax on the sector.
In the Courts
Calcutta HC clears decks for revised tea wages, directs state to finalise minimum wage in six months
Calcutta High Court dismissed a petition filed by tea companies to set aside an advisory issued by the state labour department for the revision of daily wages of tea workers of Bengal. The single bench ... also issued a directive to the state government on Tuesday to finalise a minimum wage rate for tea workers within six months.
Women in the Workforce
In top manufacturing companies women employees are a minority
Top Indian manufacturing companies employ fewer than seven women per 100 employees on average despite initiatives that promote workplace gender diversity, data from constituent companies of S&P BSE India Manufacturing Index put together by ET show.
Livelihoods
Gurugram-Nuh violence: Authorities visit slums, assure migrant workers of safety amid exodus
In a bid to stop the exodus of migrant workers from the city, district authorities Saturday visited a few slum areas and urged the labourers to go for their daily work without any fear. A number of workers started fleeing to their native places in different states in view of violence that flared up here and in Nuh earlier in the week. Gurgugram Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav Saturday visited the slums near Sector 58 and 70 here as part of the ongoing exercise to build confidence among common people about their safety, along with maintaining law and order.
Prevent exodus of minority workers from Manesar: trade unions
The Haryana chapter of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions on Wednesday sought the intervention of industrial associations here to stop the exodus of Muslim workers from the Manesar area following the recent communal clashes in the region. Micro, small and medium enterprises are facing a shortage of workforce with several of their employees returning to their homes fearing clashes.
Economic activity takes a hit as Gurugram battles exodus of workers in wake of riots
Hundreds of migrant workers from at least six Gurugram neighbourhoods left the city after they were threatened by right-wing groups, people in these areas said, prompting resident welfare associations and traders’ group to complain of lack of essential staff. The exodus started on Tuesday and intensified in the following days.
Too scared to come back, say Muslim migrant workers who fled Gurugram after violence
Many migrant families thought they would return soon, ‘but now there’s an atmosphere of hate in Haryana’; others say they’re staying put, hoping for the best as they can’t afford to go back home.
Mob Damages Muslim Shops In Haryana’s Panipat, Issues Threats Against Resuming Their Businesses
The shops of Muslims were damaged in Haryana’s Panipat by mobs, while they were forced to chant religious slogans.
Tailpiece
Indian-American, 78, sues US employer after losing job, allegedly for speaking in Hindi
A 78-year-old Indian-American has filed a federal lawsuit in America, alleging he was wrongfully terminated for talking in Hindi with a dying relative. Anil Varshney, who was a senior systems engineer with missile defence contractor Parsons Corporation, has charged the company with alleged discriminatory termination.
Exploited Workers
‘I Worked For 46 Days At A Stretch’: Byju’s Employees On Why They Quit
A recent video featuring a female employee's altercation with her superiors over incentives has sparked concerns about Byju’s treatment of its workforce. “I will not come into the cabin, I want to confront you out in the open. We have not received incentives for over 12 months,” Payal Singh can be seen airing her grievances openly. A former employee of the EdTech startup, Singh received a meager ₹2,000 as part of her final settlement, thus prompting the argument. Decode spoke to eleven Byju’s employees to get a first-hand account of their experiences; bringing to light a culture of abuse and unpaid incentives.
Govt Vacancies
Indian Railways has 2.5 lakh-plus posts lying vacant, highest in northern zone, govt tells RS
New Delhi: More than 2.50 lakh posts remain vacant in the Indian Railways as of 1 July, 2023, of which 2.48 lakh posts fall in the Group C (non-gazetted) category that consist of station masters, technicians and junior engineers, among others. The highest number of vacancies, in the non-gazetted category, were in the Northern Railway Zone with 32,468 posts followed by the Eastern and Western Railways with 29,869 and 25597 vacancies, respectively, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha
Railway job Aspirants Protest in Kolkata, Demand 3 Lakh Vacancies to be Filled
The protesters’ forum claims that no railway recruitment notification has been published since 2019, so it demanded age limit relaxation. The job seekers claim there are more than three lakh vacant posts in the Indian Railways at present. They have demanded recruitment for various vacancies, including Assistant Loco Pilot, Technician, Junior Engineer, NTPC Group C and D.
Worker-employer compact
Companies pledge better worker rights
WHEN the sorry plight of industrial workers was in everyone’s face during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, some public-spirited companies of the Pune belt came together to form the Social Compact. The goal was to enrol 100 companies. We learn that 60 are in — a mix of medium and large companies. The majority of them, however, have a long way to go. If a basic wage is being paid, a living wage is not. Women are being hired but in insufficient numbers. Affirmative action is the key to inclusive workplaces yet most companies aren’t formally pledged to it. Gender-sensitive facilities and women-friendly employment terms like maternity leave are lacking. The list goes on.
British Airways staff to receive 13% pay rise - union
Unite said in a statement that the deal also included a 1,000 pound one-off payment and the potential for pay to rise further during the period if inflation remains high.