Endangered Workers
Man cleaning sewer without safety gear dies in Gurgaon, 4th fatality in NCR this week
GURGAON: A 35-year-old man from West Bengal who choked on gases inside a sewer line he was called to clean by a contractor earlier this week died in hospital, the fourth death reported in NCR this week in manual scavenging jobs that people keep being pushed into without the mandatory safety gear.
Sanitation workers’ commission orders formation of panel to probe death of 3 workers at MNC sewage plant
The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) on Monday visited the sewage treatment facility, located on the campus of a major IT firm in Greater Noida, where three workers drowned after falling into the septic tank on June 24, and ordered the formation of a committee to probe the deaths.
1 Worker Dies Every Week, Yet Media Normalise Sewer Deaths
In May this year, 11 sewer deaths were reported in both public and private spaces, cleaning septic tanks, sewer lines, and even working inside under construction sewer lines. Such reports on sewer deaths keep appearing in the news media regularly. The courts keep reprimanding the government and the government keeps promising action. Yet, the deaths continue and have now started getting treated as day-to-day affairs across these institutions. The collective voice of the manual scavenging community, such as protests, got coverage in only nine reports out of 207 sampled.
Employment News
Demand under rural job scheme drops sharply in June
More than 34 million individuals sought work in June under the scheme, down 22.5% from a year earlier. Demand for work under MGNREGS moderated at the sharpest pace in over a year in June, possibly reflecting strong economic activity and the impact of intense heat waves.
Significance and implications of the ongoing placement blues at IITs
Across coaching centres as well as homes of adolescents, an often-heard war cry is: “Ek bar IIT chale jao, life set hai (once you join an IIT, you are guaranteed a good life).” Right now, many would be questioning that.
Jobseekers
‘Survival Is Hard’: India’s Millions Of Unemployed Youth & The National Crisis Facing Modi 3.0
Six months after a 38-year-old woman from Haryana was arrested on terror charges for a security breach in Parliament that was meant to draw attention to the unemployment crisis in India, we found out more about her struggle to find a job despite a postgraduate education and about other young people with college degrees who are looking for unskilled work or desperately trying to leave the country by any means possible.
Policy Changes
Path to disaster
After their own review, the armed forces have told the defence ministry that the Agnipath scheme needs changes in four aspects. These comprise providing financial support in case of death or disability of soldiers, deciding on a longer tenure of contractual service, an increase in percentage of those being retained after the four-year tenure and a specialised agency handling job-placement for those demobilised from service.
2015 skilling policy to be replaced with new one
The govt will come up with a new policy on skilling to replace the National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015. The ministry of skills development and entrepreneurship has engaged the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to draft a new policy that will set fresh targets and lay out a roadmap to achieve the government's vision of making India the skills capital of the world, a senior government official told ET.
Analysis
More jobs, living wages and basic rights for workers
INDIA’s economic growth has consistently relied on low-waged, precarious and flexible labour. There are at least four imperatives for the government to vigorously pursue: Make job creation central to social and economic policies, ensure decent living wage for workers, ensure affordable housing, healthcare, access to rations for migrant workers, and have safety at workplaces, there are too many accidents, deaths.
Farm News
Marginal farmers find it difficult to access govt schemes--as their number grows, income shrinks
The ‘megatrend’ among marginal farmers quietly adapting to the reality about farm income not being the mainstay of their economic survival will never make it to the front pages of the newspapers. The 'State of Marginal Farmers of India 2024' report released by FEED is as worthy of a parliamentary discussion as NEET irregularities or Delhi airport's collapsed roof.
Labour Demands
Air India Express union accuses airline of unfair labour practices, seeks intervention of labour commissioner
Air India Express’ cabin crew union has alleged unfair labour practices by the airline, including in issuance of charge sheets to its members.
AI Express decides to defer inquiries against cabin crew; next conciliation meeting on Aug 8
At the meeting, representatives of the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) mentioned the issuance of charge sheets to around 200 cabin crew members in June and sought their withdrawal, the sources said.
Worker groups demand social security fund for unorganised workers in Budget
The central trade unions have called for setting up a government-sponsored social security fund in the upcoming Budget. This will help millions of unorganised, gig, platform and agricultural workers, as envisaged under the Code on Social Security 2020.
Labour Reforms
New road map for phased roll-out of labour codes likely
The coming Budget may reiterate the government’s intent to operationalise the four labour codes passed by Parliament in 2019-2020, and lay a new road map for their implementation in phases, rather than at one go. It may also unveil a clutch of proposals for the benefit of the unorganised-sector workers.
Trade Unions Ask For Better Efficiency In Labour Laws
VIDEO: India’s trade unions convened a meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today. They demanded that the wage guarantee scheme be extended for urban employment, and also allowance be given for 200 days rather than 100 days. They also suggested revisiting and enhancing the effectiveness of labour laws.
Working Conditions
‘No way out of this place’: Life as an Amazon warehouse worker
The 24-year-old has been working as a part-time lumper at Amazon’s DEL 4 fulfilment centre in Manesar for four years. It’s hectic, taxing and he makes approximately Rs 10,000 a month by unloading packages at the fulfilment centre.
Women in the Workforce
iPhone maker Foxconn cleared of hiring discrimination charges by regional labour commissioner: Report
The regional labour commissioner, Chennai, has cleared Foxconn of discrimination in hiring process. In its submission to the central labour ministry, the regional labour commissioner said there is no evidence supporting claims of discrimination against married women in the recruitment and employment processes at the Foxconn’s Chennai iPhone factory, Economic Times reported.
Livelihoods
How Adivasis in Jharkhand are taking the leap into entrepreneurship
The community has long struggled to access capital. But a new breed of entrepreneurs is determined to run ventures centred on Adivasi culture.