Distressed Workers
Bangladesh garment industry faces crisis amid political unrest, floods
The garment industry's workforce, which employs over 4 million people directly and nearly 15 million indirectly, with a significant proportion of women, faces mounting uncertainty. The sector's remarkable growth over the past two decades from USD 5 billion in exports in 2001 to nearly USD 40 billion in 2023now stands at risk. The floods have compounded the challenges, causing damage to infrastructure and further complicating logistics.
Joint statement for responsible business conduct in Bangladesh
Recent events in Bangladesh continue to impact people across the country, with significant implications for the garment, footwear, and accessories industry. For example, some workers have reported unpaid or reduced wages for July, and suppliers are running their factories with additional overtime. We are focused on addressing adverse impacts on workers through responsible business conduct as the situation in Bangladesh evolves.
Policy Changes
MUCH ADO ABOUT LATERAL ENTRY
Does the bureaucracy need specialists, especially in niche areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric vehicles, climate change, cryptocurrency and many others? Is there resistance among civil servants to outsiders? How can the road ahead for lateral entry be smoother? And should there be reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs within the lateral recruitment system? Business Standard spoke to several officials who have held key positions in the government.
In the Courts
Would soon form panel to end farmers’ woes for all times: SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would soon form a multi-member panel to amicably resolve the grievances of farmers "for all times"..."We have suggested to the advocate general and the AAG of Punjab and Haryana respectively to submit the proposed issues, which will be the subject matter of reference for the committee to be constituted by this court," the bench noted in its order.
Temporary' Employees Working For Decades Like Regular Govt Employees Can't Be Denied Equal Benefits: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Thursday (Aug. 22) observed that the employees who were performing the duties indistinguishable from the regular government employees cannot be deprived of the benefits accorded to the government employees. “The denial of pensionary benefits solely on the basis of their temporary status, without due consideration of these factors, appears to be an oversimplification...
Missing ACR no barrier to promotion: Jharkhand HC
The Court noted that it was not the petitioner’s fault that the ACR was missing, and there were no adverse remarks that could have justified the denial of his promotion. In the petition, the employee argued that despite his eligibility for the promotion, his application was overlooked due to the absence of his Annual Confidential Report (ACR). The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) was unable to evaluate his case without this crucial document.
When Non-Renewal Of Employee's Contract Is For Disciplinary Reasons, Formal Enquiry Is Necessary : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Thursday emphasized that mere non mention of background situation in a termination order does not make it non-stigmatic and the court can look into the context to determine the true nature of the termination order. “The form of an order is not its final determinant and the Court can find out the real reason and true character behind terminating/removing an employee”.
Labour Demands
Indian port workers call off strike, agree to new wage deal
CHENNAI, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Nearly 20,000 workers across major Indian ports, who had threatened to go on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, called off their walkout late on Tuesday, after agreeing to a new five-year deal. The agreement averted further issues in an already-strained global supply chain, which is struggling with higher freight costs and congestion at major Asian and European ports. The workers' unions agreed to an 8.5% pay increase over a period of five years, according to a document signed by union leaders, and reviewed by Reuters, after initially demanding a raise in the region of 10.6%.
NITES seeks Ministry’s intervention in Infosys’ 2-year onboarding delay issue
Several engineering graduates were given offer letters in 2022—when they were selected for system engineer and digital specialist engineer roles—but are still waiting to be onboarded.
Endangered Workers
Medicos working under threat of violence even as new harsh laws are stoking fear
In early 2023, the Union Health Minister declared no new law would be enacted to protect doctors, believing existing laws suffice. This decision faced criticism following recent violence against doctors, highlighting the need for specific legislation. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 introduced mandatory penalties for medical negligence, raising concerns among medical professionals.
Even after Kolkata horror, state-run hospitals remain a treacherous terrain for female doctors
Every day, Dr. Swati Sagar, a dental surgeon at a community health centre in Uttar Pradesh’s Dhaulana, makes sure she leaves work before the sun sets so she can reach her home, almost 40 km away in Noida, safe and sound. In Dhaulana, located in Hapur district, closed shops and empty roads after 7 p.m. are a common sight. The centre itself is located on an isolated patch of land surrounded by green fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. Nobody ventures out of their homes, come darkness.
Employment News
Unemployment among women increased in first quarter, shows PLFS data
The jobless rate for women in urban areas worsened during the first quarter (April-June) this financial year, showing the increased barriers for women looking for work, an analysis of the latest quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed. The data shows the women unemployment rate increased in urban areas to 9 per cent in April-June (Q1) from 8.5 per cent in the preceding quarter.
Canada To Reduce Number Of Temporary Foreign Workers
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he plans to lower the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers and permanent residents being let into Canada. The announcement comes as Canada grapples with a rapidly growing population that economists say has put strain on housing and public services like healthcare. The vast majority of Canada’s population growth last year - about 97% - was driven by immigration, according to the federal statistics.
Railways aims to fill 41,390 vacancies across roles
Indian Railways is looking to fill 41,390 vacancies for Group C post positions like Assistant Loco Pilots, Junior Engineers, Technicians, Paramedics, Railway Police Force Sub-Inspectors and Constables. “Till date, six centralised employment notifications have been notified, from January to August 2024, offering jobs for these vacant positions,” a Railways spokesperson said.
Tata Group Will Hire 4000 Women For Manufacturing Push In TN, Karnataka
The Tata Group is embarking on a transformative recruitment drive to hire 4,000 women technicians from Uttarakhand for its manufacturing and assembly facilities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This initiative, conducted under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), aims to bolster employment opportunities for women in the region.
Tailpiece
Australian workers now have 'right to disconnect' after hours
New laws have come into effect in Australia protecting workers' 'right to disconnect' and to ignore communications from work after hours if they so choose. Similar laws are in effect or in the works for some workers in Canada.
Benefits for Workers
UPS vs NPS vs OPS: How the three pension schemes stack up against one another
The Modi government has introduced a new Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) offering a 50% assured pension for central government employees who joined after January 1, 2004, under the National Pension System (NPS). This scheme, effective from April 1, 2025, allows NPS subscribers to switch to UPS, securing an assured pension starting from the next financial year. The move comes as several non-BJP states have reverted to the DA-linked Old Pension Scheme (OPS), with growing demands for similar changes elsewhere.
Central trade unions are waiting for fine print of unified pension scheme
Unified Pension Scheme | Central trade unions await notification for clarity on details. Sangh-affiliated BMS seeks clarity on exit payout ratio, future Pay Commissions’ impact, fate of tax benefits, and hikes for oldest retirees; Left unions say ‘market gambling’ with funds will continue.
Lower qualifying years of service to 20 for assured pension under UPS: Employee representatives
Central government employee representatives are advocating for further relaxations in the rules of the newly unveiled Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to reduce the qualifying years of service for an assured pension to 20 years from the current 25.
The Gig Economy
Pending Wages
Unpaid wages at DCW threaten to revive survivors’ woes
Unpaid wages at DCW threaten to revive survivors’ woes, making it difficult for them to make ends meet. Several women who work in DCW are acid attack and domestic violence survivors. When asked about why the salaries were not paid, no response was given by AAP govt for this article.
Skilling
In Varanasi, Dashed Hopes For Graduates Of Skill India Programme
With the government announcing the launch of PMKVY 4.0 in the 2023-24 budget, and a new skilling programme and loans for skilling in the post-election budget last month, we take a look at the problems in the previous versions of the programme, and the challenges for the newest version.
Minority Livelihoods
Shoorvir programme is Hindus’ ‘own ecosystem’, calling for an economic boycott of Muslims
The programme is supposed to be a service dedicated to connecting Hindu service providers with Hindu clients. Shoorvir Programme’s mission statement says, “We must unite constructively in a cohesive manner so that every penny you spend reaches our people only.”