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 […]
CONTEMPT FOR LABOUR: ON DILUTION OF LABOUR LAWS
Introduction It is amoral and perverse on the part of some States to address this need, for revival of business and economic activity, by granting sweeping exemptions from legal provisions aimed at protecting labourers and employees in factories, industries and other establishments. What actions have states taken? Madhya Pradesh will be allowing units to be […]
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 […]
STUDY EXPLORES DRIVERS OF DEATH TERMS
Findings of the Research on Death Sentences: The shock and impact of a crime on the collective conscience of society was a major reason cited by trial courts in Delhi while imposing death sentence on convicts. Out of the 43 cases in Delhi in which death sentence was handed down between 2000 and 2015, trial courts invoked the impact […]
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 […]
RIGHT TO RELIGION: SUPREME COURT EXPLAINS
Why in news? A nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court declared that superior courts enjoy untrammeled power to take up any cause to do complete justice – three months ago, decided to go ahead and examine “larger issues” of religious freedom across multiple faiths in connection with the Sabarimala review. Background: Entry of women Supreme Court’s original […]
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 […]