News from States
Mamata Banerjee announces Rs 10,000 salary hike for medical staff; Rs 15,000 increase for senior resident doctors
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced a salary hike for medical staff, effective immediately. Interns, house staff, Post-Graduate and Post-Doctoral trainees will receive an increment of Rs 10,000. Diploma-holding senior resident doctors' pay is raised to Rs 80,000, Post-Graduate senior residents to Rs 85,000, and Post-Doctorate seniors to Rs 1 lakh.
Forest Dept. engages rural employment guarantee scheme workers for raising seedlings
The Forest Department in Tamilnadu has begun to involve Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers for raising seedlings of native tree species in its nurseries. The move comes in the wake of convergence of the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, being implemented by the Forest Department, with the MGNREGS.
Applications invited from children of fireworks workers killed in work spot accidents for educational assistance
Only wards of fireworks workers, who were killed in accidents at work spots on or after November 10, 2024, would be eligible for educational assistance announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
In a statement inviting applications from eligible wards, Virudhunagar Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan has set the eligibility date as November 10, 2024, the date on which Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, during his visit to Virudhunagar, had made the announcement on providing educational assistance.
UP govt to appoint 57,702 Surya Sakhis
After the successful implementation of the BC Sakhi and Vidyut Sakhi initiatives, the Yogi Adityanath government has launched a new effort to further strengthen women’s empowerment in Uttar Pradesh. Under this initiative, one Surya Sakhi will be appointed in each of the state’s 57,000+ gram panchayats. To facilitate this, enterprises established by millions of women under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) will now be integrated with distributed renewable energy (DRE) products. In the first phase, 10,000 enterprises will be linked to solar-based technologies, creating new avenues for sustainable employment for women.
In the Courts
Why 4.5 Years To Frame Rules? Supreme Court Questions Delay In Implementing 2020 Code On Rights Of Gig Workers
The Supreme Court recently directed the Union to file an affidavit indicating the timeline in which the rules/scheme relevant to give effect to provisions of Chapter IX of the Code on Social Security, 2020, will be framed and given effect to. Chapter IX of the 2020 Code is specifically dedicated to rights and social security for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers. The Code received the assent of the President in 2020. However, the relevant rules are yet to be framed.
Sanitation Workers
NHRC issues notice to Bengal govt. over death of two workers while cleaning a septic tank in Medinipur
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of reports regarding the death of two persons and fatal injuries suffered by two others after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a septic tank in Nandigram block of Vekutia village in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal… Observing that the incident raises questions about violation of human rights of the victims, the Commission has issued notices to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur calling for a detailed report within two weeks.
15K sanitation workers create world record with mass sweeping drive
Prayagraj: In yet another feat in the ongoing Maha Kumbh, 15,000 sanitation workers participated in a synchronized cleaning drive across four zones of the Maha Kumbh Mela area to create a Guinness world record of mass sweeping.
Labour Demands
Watch | Labour Code, Corporate Oppression and Wages Dominate 11th Workers' Rights Conference
New Delhi: The 11th ‘Reclaim the Workers’ Rights’ conference of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions is being held between February 24 and 26 in Delhi. Workers from across the country have raised their voices in this conference on labour rights, the contract system, the new labour codes, corporate exploitation, privatisation, minimum wages, pension rights and other issues.
"Hum Hain Iske Malik, Hindustan Hamara" — Thousands of Workers to Unite at AICCTU Conference to Reclaim Rights, Resist Exploitation, and Fight for Dignity
The Open Session on February 24 features prominent voices like Rajaram Singh (AIKM and CPIML MP, Karakat), Wakeel Hasan (Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Miner), Comrade Dipankar (General Secretary, CPIML Liberation), Bezwada Wilson (Safai Karamchari Andolan), and Atul Sood (Economist), among others. Representatives from central trade unions and workers’ federations are also joining the assembly, making it a platform for diverse voices to unite against common challenges.
Samsung standoff: Company seeks TN govt intervention to ensure workers' safety, ease of doing biz
Samsung workers at the Sriperumbudur plant escalated their protest against the suspension of three union leaders. The company emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards illegal activities and urged state authorities to ensure worker safety and maintain discipline. The protest has been ongoing since February 5, demanding the reinstatement of the suspended employees.
Endangered Workers
Telangana tunnel collapse: Rescuers start cutting TBM, removing obstacles
The teams engaged in rescuing eight workers who remain trapped in a partially collapsed SLBC tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool have begun cutting the part of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and other obstacles that are preventing them from going to the spot where they can search for the individuals.
For Rescue Teams at Telangana Tunnel, an Effort Against Time, Water and Earth
600 people were involved in the rescue operation, including teams from the Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute, the Geological Survey of India, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, police, fire services, L&T Construction, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, Navayuga Engineering, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency and the rat-hole miners.
Employment News
Urban youth unemployment rate up in 4 states and 2 UTs: PLFS data
At a time when national unemployment rate among urban youth is coming down in FY25, six states and Union Territories (UTs) have seen a sequential rise between Q1 and Q3 of the financial year, according to an analysis of the latest quarterly periodic labour force survey (PLFS) data. These are Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi. On the other hand, the unemployment rate among urban youth declined in five major states. These are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Kerala.
Tech companies commit to invest Rs 25,640 cr in MP, create 1.83 lakh jobs
Madhya Pradesh has secured ₹25,640 crore in investment from 35 technology companies at the IT and Technology Summit at GIS 2025, creating over 1.83 lakh jobs. Major sectors include electronics manufacturing (₹12,350 crore, 14,000 jobs), IT and ITes (₹5,500 crore, 93,000 jobs), and GCC (₹700 crore, 40,500 jobs).
Indian women are moving from unpaid domestic work to employment: NSO survey
The Time Use Survey 2024, conducted by the National Statistics Office, shows that female workforce participation has increased to 25%, up from 21.8% in 2019. But caregiving responsibilities continue to be shouldered majorly by women. The TUS 2024 reported that 41% of women aged 15-59 participated in caregiving activities, compared to 21.4% of men in the same age bracket. Women engaged in caregiving spent about 140 minutes daily, whereas men allocated approximately 74 minutes. This disparity is yet another reminder of the societal expectation for women to shoulder the majority of caregiving duties.
Rising servicification of manufacturing makes wage growth comparisons tough
Even as the Economic Survey 2024-25 called out corporate India for wage growth flagging while profits soared in recent years, the head of CII has noted that businesses are regularly hiking salaries but recent wage trends may not be strictly comparable with the past due to an increasing ‘Servicification’ of manufacturing. That is, the increasing outsourcing of wage work to specialized services within the manufacturing sector.
AI and Jobs
DBS set to cut 4,000 jobs over 3 years due to AI, says CEO
DBS CEO Piyush Gupta said the bank will shrink its workforce by 10% in the next three years due to artificial intelligence replacing human roles. 1,000 new AI roles to be created despite job cuts.
Indian tech industry revenue projected to grow 5.1 per cent even as job loss concerns persist
About 55% CEOs surveyed expected hiring to plateau or reduce in FY26; some CEOs sought to approach changes brought in by AI with “paranoia”, stressing this would ensure competitiveness Amid concerns over jobs shrinking due to the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the National Association of Software Services Companies (NASSCOM) has projected the Indian technology industry’s revenue growth at 5.1% to $282.6 billion in FY 2025-26.
Pending Wages
60 medical colleges not paying stipends to interns: RTI
NEW DELHI: As many as 60 medical colleges and institutions out of over 500 are not paying stipends to their undergraduate interns, postgraduate residents, and senior residents, as per file noting assessed through RTI. Of the 60 medical colleges that failed to pay stipends, 33 are government institutes, and the rest are private. However, despite having the mandate, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has yet to take action against them.
Travails of Fisherfolk
32 TN fishermen held by Sri Lankan Navy, Stalin writes to Jaishankar seeking permanent solution.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday wrote to Union Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar reiterating the earlier request to convene a Joint Working Group to find a permanent solution and to secure the release of all 32 arrested fishermen from Rameswaram and their fishing boats from the Sri Lankan authorities.
Exporting Workers
5,600 sent to Israel for job avenues: Min
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Minister of Labour and Employment Anil Rajbhar on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that the state has successfully sent 5,600 workers to Israel for employment opportunities, with an additional 5,000 workers in the process of being sent.
Dying at Work
5 more bodies recovered from Umrangso coal mine after 42 days; Assam govt takes action
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Army recovered the remaining five bodies from the Umrangso coal mine after completing the dewatering process. The Assam government announced a compensation for the victim's families and initiated investigating illegal mining activities. A One-Man Inquiry Commission was also formed to fix responsibility for the incident.
Losing Govt Jobs
A teachers’ crisis is brewing across India—Chhattisgarh to UP, Punjab, Tamil Nadu
Raipur: For 15 months, Pooja Sharma lived the life she had worked so hard for. Five years of studying, entrance exams, and interviews had finally landed her a government teaching job. She moved deep into Bastar’s forests to teach primary school children and earned her own money. Then in December, the Chhattisgarh government sent a termination order. She and nearly 3,000 other teachers were out. They were too qualified for their jobs. Recruitment scandals, new competency exams, ad-hocism, and low salaries—India's schoolteachers are fighting on the streets, in courts, and even online.