EQUAL FREEDOM AND FORCED LABOUR
Introduction Quote B.R. Ambedkar therefore argued that fundamental rights must also “eliminate the possibility of the more powerful having the power to impose arbitrary restraints on the less powerful by withdrawing from the control he has over the economic life of the people”. Labour rights The 1931 Karachi Declaration and Bill of Rights expressly placed labour […]
WHAT LABOUR LAW CHANGES MEAN?
What are Indian labour laws? In India there are over 200 state laws and close to 50 central laws, yet there is no set definition of “labour laws” in the country. Broadly speaking, they can be divided into four categories – Factories Act are to ensure safety measures on factory premises, and promote health and […]
THE FACE OF EXPLOITATION: WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND DIGNITY
Why in news? As thousands of migrant workers walk across India in a desperate attempt to reunite with their families, States are competing with one another to provide greater relaxation of labour laws to appear ‘industry friendly’. U.P. Government has cleared an ordinance exempting businesses and industries from labour laws, except for a handful, for […]
HOW CAN INTER-STATE WORKERS BE PROTECTED?
Why in news? On Friday, May 8, 16 migrant labourers who were trying to return to Madhya Pradesh, their home State, on foot were killed when a goods train ran over them between Jalna and Aurangabad districts in Maharashtra. Hundreds of inter-state workers have been seen trying to walk home to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West […]
DIFFERENCE: PM CARES FUND AND PM’S NATIONAL RELIEF FUND
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? On March 28 2020, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, or the PM CARES Fund, was set up to tackle distress situations such as that posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Who may contribute to the fund? The fund receives voluntary contributions from individuals […]
SHOULD HEALTHCARE BE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT?
Introduction India has never spent more than 2% of its GDP on healthcare. Healthcare facilities across the country straddle different levels of efficiency and sufficiency. This Pandemic has opened the eyes of people to the importance of universal and robust public health services and the need for everybody to be covered by quality healthcare, or for […]
NHRC ISSUES NOTICES TO STATES
Why in news? The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Maharashtra government and the Madhya Pradesh government. Maharashtra was called up over the “inappropriate approach” adopted for the release of prisoners to avoid the SARS-CoV-2 infection and Madhya Pradesh was called up for the incident of a pregnant migrant giving birth […]
INDIA MAY MISS NUTRITION TARGETS
Why in news? India is among 88 countries that are likely to miss global nutrition targets by 2025, according to the Global Nutrition Report 2020 released on 12th May 2020. Global Nutrition Targets In 2012, the World Health Assembly (WHA) identified six nutrition targets for maternal, infant and young child nutrition to be met by 2025. These require […]
ENABLE LONGER WORK HOURS: CII TO CENTRE
Why in news? The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recommended that the government issue guidelines directing direct workers to rejoin duty. The recommendation, along with several more, were made at a meeting between CII representatives and Labour and Employment Minister. What were the recommendations made by the CII? Those failing to report for work […]
SUSPEND LABOUR LAWS FOR 2-3 YEARS: EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS
Why in news? The Representatives of 12 employers’ associations and industry bodies on 9th May asked the government to suspend labour laws for the next two to three years to help industry come out of the present crisis. The Labour and Employment Ministry will handle by being sympathetic to the requirements of the industry and would […]