Policy Changes
Gig workers bill races to beat election season in Rajasthan
The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government’s marquee legislation, the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023, which puts up stringent punitive provisions against errant aggregators, might not materialise before the elections in the State. The rules to make the law functional are caught in a bureaucratic quagmire. Sources say the rules have been finalised but are currently under review with the state finance department. Meanwhile elections have been notified and according to the model code of conduct which kicks in, the rules cannot be notified now.
Abhishek Banerjee suggests plan to clear job dues of 2,500 MGNREGS cardholders who joined Trinamool Congress’s Delhi protest
Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday suggested that the Bengal government would be requested to pay 2,500 MGNREGS cardholders who took part in the Trinamul Congress’s protest programmes in Delhi the pending wages but senior officials at Nabanna said there was no provision for the state to clear the dues under the central scheme.
Women in the Workforce
Claudia Goldin wins Nobel for work on women in the labour market
Stockholm (AFP) – The Nobel prize in economics was on Monday awarded to American economist Claudia Goldin for research that has helped bring understanding to the role of women in the labour market. By studying the history of women in the United States workforce, Goldin demonstrated factors that have historically influenced, and in some cases still influence, the supply and demand for women in the labour force, the jury explained.
Working among the dead, how a single mother beat life’s extreme odds
Patna: Her life is a snapshot of the grim realities of Bihar, one of the poorest states in the country. In Samastipur, livelihood options for single mothers with small children are close to zero. She took a job that’s medically critical but, given deep social prejudices, has few takers…that of a post mortem assistant.
Women in Indian Railways seek job category change amidst workplace challenges
The Railway Board is currently evaluating a request to grant women drivers and track maintainers a one-time option to change their job categories. Women in these roles are seeking a change in job category primarily due to the challenging and unsafe working conditions in field setups, as highlighted by their respective organizations. Many of these requests for job category changes have remained pending with railway zones for several years.
Women's contribution in agri-food systems not recognised; need to change this story: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the need to recognize women's contributions in agri-food systems and address the structural inequality they face. She highlighted that discriminatory social norms and barriers to knowledge, resources, and social networks hold women back from assuming decision-making roles in agriculture.
The Self-Employed
Doesn’t Matter if We Sell Vegetarian Food’: How UP’s Muslim Eatery Owners Are Losing Livelihoods
Dozens of dhabas along NH-58 were reportedly targeted after a campaign was launched by one Swami Yashveer to advocate for the boycott of Muslim-owned eateries during the Kanwar Yatra.
Tailpiece
Employee sues boss for being insensitive to menopause symptoms; wins
An insensitive remark about his employee’s menopausal symptoms landed a boss in deep trouble. The court ruled that Clark had falsely accused Farquharso of using menopause as an excuse to stay away from work. The former employee. was awarded a compensation of 37,000 pounds (equivalent to 37.5 lakh rupees).
Meagre Wages
‘If an Asha Worker Can Survive on Rs 4,000, So Should Our PM’
'Modi ji, the common man is dying. There is no roti for him. You are only being the ‘star campaigner’ of the BJP...You need to think about the whole country, not just the BJP,' said one of the protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Focus on gig workers isn’t enough. New report paints bleak picture of India’s wage labourers
The single-minded focus on jobs in India’s public discourse is leading to a dangerous neglect of wage exploitation. Wage induced poverty and its consequences never become enough of an issue for the Indian political class or the media. Policy neglect, an uncertain job market, and increased contractualisation are making labourers' economic condition worse. Inflation is negating purchasing power too.
‘Struggling to buy even soap’: Their wages unpaid, Bengal MNREGA workers being pushed into poverty
In the last two years Murmu has barely earned any money from the scheme. He has spent his savings to make his ends meet. “I am struggling to even buy oil and soap,” he said. Hundreds of workers protested in Delhi last week against the Centre’s decision to block funds to the state since December 2021, claiming that there was rampant corruption in the programme in the state.
Karnataka government ordered to re-calculate minimum wages based on Supreme Court guidelines
In a victory for nearly 1.7 crore workers in the unorganised sector across Karnataka, the State govt has been directed by the Karnataka High Court to re-calculate the minimum wages fixed in 2022. The State Government had not undertaken a ground survey to assess the present-day prices of essential commodities, but arbitrarily enhanced wages between 5% and 10% for 34 scheduled employments.
Haryana: Workers' Rally Warns Govt to Not Ignore Demand for Minimum Wage Revision, Secure Jobs
The Lalkar Rally announced a Mahapadav in Chandigarh from November 26-28 in which thousands of workers from the state will participate.
Caste in Employment
Hindu Parents, Dalit group celebrate veto of California’s anti-caste discrimination bill
Governor Newsom vetoed the bill, which was recently passed by the state assembly, saying that laws to ban caste-based discrimination already exist in the state. Hindu Parents of California, eminent Indian-Americans and a Dalit advocacy group on Saturday welcomed the decision of California Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the bill, observing that this bill was brought with the sole intention of ‘stereotyping the community’.
A village in Bihar is a mini Punjab
Many Dalits from Araria district have migrated to Punjab and converted to Sikhism in the hope that it will accord them respect and free them from caste-based exploitation. Caste-based discrimination and poverty are driving thousands of people away from the State, especially the Kosi area, in search of greener pastures