Econ Digest 2020-21

Iceland seems to be like a fantasy 47 land filled with magical laws and policies. While Iceland offers The proportion of importance equality in the workplace to its given to raw GDP drivers and people on a platter, in other welfare factors must be balanced countries, equality is still a luxury and resilient. If every country that can only be dreamt of. It feels takes action to reduce inequality as if the politicians and the in the workplace, the global lawmakers of Iceland have economy will have a huge established equality in labour positive impact. effortlessly. Being a small island with a strong economy, its core reason Bibliography: for having a consistent, well- developed economy was because 1. Meghan Werft.(March 2017). their main focus was on gender “7 Laws That Show Why equality- a welfare factor. Other Iceland Ranks First for Gender countries should also shift its focus Equality” , Global Citizen from raw GDP boosters and change their focus on well-being criteria like 2. World Economic Forum. (Dec Iceland to achieve economic 2020). “Global Gender Gap stability. Report 2020”. 3. Government of Iceland. (Jan 2018). “Equal pay certification”. DID YOU KNOW? In U.S, people avoided wearing white clothing after Labor Day as it unofficially marked the end of summer.

48 Source: Kouji Tsuru LABOUR AND Labour is often viewed as the backbone of the POLLUTION economy, quite rightly, since no economy can function steadily without an active labour force. The By Sarayu M global working population (approximately 3 billion II B.A.Economics workers) sustains world economies and propels them. Environmental regulations are generally considered to be a hassle on the economy and its workings. Restrictions that are placed due to environmental concerns can slow down production and lead to closures and unemployment, thereby increasing costs for customers. Here, we look at pollution and how it can impact workers. It is true that in the short run, placing regulations in the workplace due to environmental issues such as pollution can have negative effects. However, it has been proved in various studies that in the long run, helping solve the pollution crisis can massively help workers and improve productivity as well.

49 A study on the impact of pollution worker Source: Money Control productivity with regards to a garment factory in India showed that productivity Another issue is how pollution can suffered in response to higher pollution affect women disproportionately. exposure. Moreover, worker productivity Data from Santiago, Chile show that in low income countries is impacted with the rise in pollution levels, several times higher than in higher- women (and women with children, income environments. Another study on especially) are more likely to work the effects of pollution on labour supply fewer hours due to health based in Mexico City. The closure of a complications. large refinery in the city led to an 8% decrease in pollution in the surrounding Focusing on worker productivity is neighbourhood. crucial for two reasons. Firstly, the health effects of pollution can be What’s more, a 1% increase in sulphur damaging and in the long run can dioxide results in a 0.61% decrease in add up to even hospitalisation and hours worked. A third study, Severe Air mortality. Secondly, examining the Pollution and Labour Productivity, levels of productivity, that are examined daily fluctuations in worker usually monetised, makes it easy to output for manufacturing workers at a bring forth cost-benefit analysis of plant in Hebei, China. pollution prevention-related policies. Productivity can be quantified in a The huge levels of pollution resulted in a straightforward manner as the loss in documented reduction in productivity, as worker earnings. well as a fall in product quality with rise in pollution. It is even more unfortunate that these long-term workers earn piece-wage rates (with minimal pay) for monotonous tasks done over eight-hour shifts. Source: The Financial Express

50 Source : ENV - Linkage Model Projections of the costs of outdoor air This figure shows the huge amount of pollution in The Economic Consequences projected indirect costs that will have to of Outdoor Air Pollution show that the be met in the coming years. The problem impacts of air pollution are projected to with such high indirect costs as a result be much more severe in the coming of the effects on the workforce is that decades. The impact of air pollution, the growth rate of the economy lowers. including impacts on health expenditure, Furthermore, as these shocks become labour productivity and agricultural crop larger over time, the cheapest yields, are projected to lead to global alternatives to adjust will be made use of economic costs that gradually increase to first. Subsequent larger shocks need to 1% of global GDP by 2060. be outweighed at higher costs. Increased pollution without regulation The total market costs (both direct and means that there is a reduction in the indirect costs) include the above stated delivery of appropriate work market costs, i.e., (i) change in value environments that sustain jobs and have added generated in labour productivity, a direct impact on individuals’ health. (ii) increased health expenditure; and (iii) Although there is no one-size fits-all the change in value added generated in policy for reducing the effects of agriculture from changes in crop yields. pollution on the labour force, basic While the direct costs increase implementation of policies and approximately at the same pace of programmes will aid an extensive economic activity, the indirect costs workforce. increase rapidly over time.

51 These can include implementing air 3. Guillermo Montt .(March 2018). quality standards, fuel quality standards, emission taxes, automobile “The Gendered Effects of Air emission standards, or incentivising end-of-pipe technology that can Pollution on Labour reduce pollution. Looking at pollution and its detrimental impacts on workers Supply”.Research Department is critical to bring about policies to reduce pollution and thereby improve Working. International Labour productivity, and thereby the economy in the long-run. Office (ILO) Bibliography: 4. Rema Hanna, Paulina Oliva. (August 2011). “The Effect of 1. Li, Teng, Liu, Haoming, Salvo, Pollution on Labor Supply: Evidence Alberto.(2015). “Severe Air Pollution from a Natural Experiment in and Labor Productivity”.IZA Mexico City”. NBER Working Paper. Discussion Papers. Institute for the National Bureau of Economic Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn. Research, Massachusetts. 2. Achyuta Adhvaryu, Namrata Kala, 5. Elisa Lanzi, Rob Delink. (June Anant Nyshadham.(May 2015). “Management and Shocks to Worker 2016). “The Economic Productivity”. International Growth Centre (IGC). Consequences of Outdoor Air Pollution”. OECD (OECD Publishing, Paris) DID YOU KNOW? Historically, May Day was also used as a tool to showcase political strength. Adolf Hitler,Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev took to streets to rally and parade.

52 Source: Times of India BATTLE AGAINST What do you call a person who is happy on Monday? INDIA’S BIGGEST Hint: Associated with the article. The predicaments encountered by most of the countries in the world are ECONOMIC poverty and unemployment. Having a positive ISSUE- relationship, it acts as a vicious circle as well. The most prevailing unemployment with underemployment and UNEMPLOYMENT labour surplus revolves around the world. In India, the unemployment rate is 8.2% as of December 2020. The By G.Harshini, 2019 fiscal year would depict an unemployment rate of 5.36%. The rise in the unemployment rate from 5.36% I B.A.Economics to 8.2% is mainly due to lockdown. When the lockdown was foisted on March 24, the unemployment rate shot up to 23.52% in April and 21.73% in May. The Bureau of Labor Statistics survey revealed that though the unemployment rate had declined to 6.9% in October 2020, it was twice the February rate of 3.5%. From the data above, it is obvious that people who were jobless faced mass layoffs during the pandemic.

53 Due to the extension of lockdown Source: Statista imposed by the Indian government, most of the workers have been thrown On the other side, most of the out of the job, especially in the field of workers who have left the job information technology. have started their jobs like Many firms, large companies, and few entrepreneurs in the field of offices across the country have food catering and serving. announced massive layoffs and shut There have been some down the business. The important part industries and sectors which would be the daily workers, migrant have shown a gradual increase laborers, and wage earners had been during the pandemic. severely affected due to this growing pandemic. The life of daily workers, The most essential and frontline wage earners, and migrant workers will affect the economic growth of many industry would be developed nations and developing nations like India. pharmaceutical. India has Sectors like tourism, travel, media, and already set its foot in the global automobiles that contribute significantly to our GDP had been halted abruptly. If market. The demand for we calculate the tourism sector, for most of the developing countries, it is a Hydroxychloroquine across the major source of employment but most destinations were entirely closed in April and May 2020. This sector contributed almost $194 billion, which is 6.8% of India's GDP during 2019. The Indian tourism industry saw a revenue loss of Rs.1.25 trillion in 2020 due to the shutdown of hotels, tourist spots, and suspension of flight operations. world has shifted focus on India as the exporter of pharmaceuticals. The Indian pharma industry has been seen as a robust and extremely cost- effective supplier.

54 Likewise, the Serum Institute of India had Conclusion: The Government of India has already shaken hands with Oxford in the taken various steps like poverty alleviation programs, PM Employment production of a vaccine. Social distancing generation program, Start-Up India, PM Berojgari Bhatta Yojana, an and work from home has been the new unemployment allowance scheme, Integrated rural development normal. So, going to shops, malls, program, Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS)program, National Rural crowded markets, theatres will be Employment Guarantee Act, etc. Though it has taken various steps to difficult in the near future. To recover lower the unemployment rate, it has failed in achieving the target. The from these difficulties, most economic unemployment problem can be lowered by creating awareness on the activities in the world are moving to schemes that have been already introduced since most of the people digital platforms. The revolving trend is are unaware of the policies framed. OTT platforms and E-commerce based l activities. All these require immense computing powers. Also, E-commerce firms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, had seen enhanced sales during and after lockdown. Though online food ordering and delivery platforms like Food Panda, Swiggy, Zomato, and Domino’s pizza saw a fall at the initial stages of lockdown, they are now running in profits. It will be expected to touch $12.53 billion by 2023. There is truly a thread connected when The government should use labour- we touch upon the E-commerce firm intensive techniques to employ more Swiggy. In Swiggy, 2,18,000 employees number of labourers. The Government are working in more than 300 cities across should make the age of retirement of India. The major share of 2,18,000 was senior employees at the age of contributed by engineering graduates. maximum of 50 in the Educational According to MHRD, more than 15 lakh sector and offer seats to youngsters. certified engineers are graduating in By doing so, the youth employment India. Out of this, 1.75 is passed out from rate would increase, paving way for 552 engineering colleges and universities the coming generation to operate in Tamil Nadu. After graduating, they are more in the respective field. It can not hired by any organization. So, gradually reach all the sectors. Young thousands of graduates and professionally minds can shape India better. Young qualified youth are forced to take up the minds with experience from seniors delivery boys job in companies like can help India shine in the future as a Swiggy, Zomato, and as drivers at Uber, developed economy. Ola, and many more. These firms hardly pay Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 per day after extracting 12 hrs from the workers.

55 Bibliography: 4. Nikhil Inamdar. (May 2020). “Coronavirus lockdown: India 1. Bureau of Labour Statistics. jobless numbers cross 120 (2020).“Unemployment rate falls to million in April”. BBC News, 6.9 percent in October 2020”. Mumbai. 2. Anon. (August 2020). 5. Press Trust of India. (May “Accenture to lay off 25,000 employees, thousands of Indians 2017).“ “Severe set to lose jobs”. . The Economic Times. underemployment and not 3. “Unemployment rate in unemployment is a more India”.CMIE. serious problem”-NITI Aayog.” NDTV News. 6. Amitabh Kant. (February 2019). “India’s employment: Understanding the True Picture”. Business Standard.l DID YOU KNOW? The first May Day in India was celebrated in Chennai in 1923 by The Labour Kisan Party Of Hindustan. Singaravelu Chettiar raised the red flag in Chennai, which was used for the first time in India. He organised two meetings – one at the beach opposite to The Madras High Court and the other at Triplicane beach.

56 Source: Sukalyanc under license CC BY-SA 3.0 THE PLIGHT OF The country is getting ready to embrace Diwali , AN AGE OLD the annual Indian festival of lights and will soon HANDICRAFT burst into celebrations , lighting lamps, INDUSTRY exchanging sweets , the sky filled with bright fireworks and the fragrance of joy. Though a By Padmapriya.K Hindu festival , Diwali is celebrated across communities in India and by the country’s wide – I B.A.Economics ranging diaspora even during this great crisis but we should also think about the seasonal workers who have lost their employment and business opportunity thus eroding their financial well being. The unexpected COVID-19 crisis has brought all our lives to a halt. The crisis is critical in relation to the economy of the nation , as it has enormously affected the small-scale industrial sectors especially the pottery and diya making industry.

Pottery and diya making is one of 57 the age-old handicrafts in India. Data suggests that around 40 In rural areas with very low lakhs rural potters still work with income and simple needs , pottery the help of prosaic pottery business plays an important role. wheels, nearly 15 lakhs of them are Considering the fact that even if traditionally skilled potters and these items are sold in bulk , an about 95% are involved in the average potter would make up to work of conventional local pottery. only 6000 to 9000 in a month, it is Pottery is relatively a seasonal clearly not enough to sustain a business that booms during the family of four or in some cases festival seasons of Diwali , even more. These potters do not Karthigai deepam, Maha shivratri , have access to large markets and Dussehra , Pongal ,etc. are not aware of the trade business . The major problems Sundari is a resident of faced by the potters in the pottery Thiruvanmiyur ,Chennai district . A industry is irregular supply of raw potter by profession , she is busy materials and liquidity. Inadequacy making diyas for the Diwali and of the net working capital is Karthigai deepam in front of her another major problem of the modest house. It is time for her to pottery industry. Because of earn extra money from selling diyas shortage in the working capital , and small clay pots. She says, “The potters are not in a position to buy average income of my family during raw materials of required quantity. diwali season is about Rs. 8000 to Rs So the quality and quantity of raw 10000 and I can sell up to 10000 materials affect the quality and diyas and 600 pots in my business size of the output. otherwise it remains dormant for the rest of the year but now due to this The funds available for the potters crisis I wonder whether I can sell up for investment in fixed assets is to 1000 diyas in this festive season.” low and many of them are aware Though busy things are not blooming of the improved techniques of for Sundari and other families production but do not apply them depended on the pottery business, as they lack in liquidity. Lack of she further stated that many people diversification of products also an who are seasonal workers like her account for slow growth of the have shifted to other professions to pottery industry. Especially during make living and some have taken up the slack seasons, the potters are additional jobs to supplement their forced to remain idle. income during this crisis.

58 Marketing in this field has certain There are also foundations like constraints because of the Earthy Goods Foundation with a absence of co-operatives or mission to empower India’s government agency as the potters invisible potters and rural micro selling their finished products entrepreneurs . The Government through middlemen has been one and non-governmental initiatives of the supreme aspects and the can solve the problem by large demand for the various products investments and develop the of these industries is a largely industries at its best level .To retain seasonal and it is limited to the this age-old heritage of India, locality as majority of their potters have to input innovations products are substandard and do regularly in their business. not confirm to the required specifications. Bibliography: People must encourage pottery 1.S.V.Akilandeswari, Dr.C.Pitchai. and diya making industries. NGOs and nonprofits must create (July 2016). “Swot Analysis For awareness for empowering the potters and reviving handicrafts in The Improvement Of Pottery India.To aid the livelihood of potters, NGOs can sell their Industry In Tamil Nadu”. products made by them at a decent price fetching them International Journal in reasonable profits. There are associations like Asha , a fair trade Management and Social Science. certified organisation that works with more than 800 potters and 2.Maps of India. “Indian Pottery artisans across India . Industry- A background”. They aim to support the potters 3.Dr. Nuruzzaman Kasem. (July and artisans by providing them a 2014). “Problems Of Pottery sustainable market , and also to Industry And Policies For preserve the artistic heritage of Development: Case Study Of India. There is a programme called Koch Bihar District In West Parton where they bring together Bengal, India.” International corporate donors and NGOs Journal of Advanced Research working to help artisans and in Management and Social potters to form a structured CSR Sciences. plan. 4.Ann Anju Mathew. (July 2020). “These NGOs and nonprofits are empowering artisans and reviving handicrafts in India”. Social Story.

59 LABOUR LAWS AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS By C.M.Sindhu II B.A.Economics Source: The Indian Express In the month of September 2020, the Parliament passed 3 labour Code Bills for the welfare and protection of the workers. They are (i) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 (ii) The Industrial Relations Code,2020 (iii) The Code on Social Security,2020. In layman terms, the changes can be explained as follows: hiring and firing are now made easier, striking against the employer is getting tougher, fixed-term employment contracts and basic security net will now cover even the sections of the unorganised workforce. So, under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC), all the laws relating to Health and Working Ambience are put under one law. It also aims to put the liability on the employer and the contractor.

The law had made the PDS 60 benefits transferrable for migrant workers. Under the Industrial Now, talking about the safety at Relations, the law is trying to the workplace – the safety redefine the terms ‘Employer’, committee says that the new law ‘Employee’ and ‘Worker’. Also, the can be exercised to those law has come up with a new workplaces only where there are definition for ‘strike’ that includes more than 250 employees. Also, mass casual leave of up to 50% of the Employer will have to pay only the workforce employed by any a meagre amount of Rs. 1,00,000 firm. Under Social Security, the in case of death due to the new law – the entitlements like the workplace. The Categories of Self- PF (Provident Fund), ESI Employed, Home-based workers (Employees’ State Insurance), and the Gig-workers are yet to be Maternity benefits, and others to covered under the Social Security get simplified under a single law. mechanism. Concerns: Lessons from our Indian states: The Government claims that the States like Gujarat and Rajasthan laws will provide statutory have already been following this protection to unorganised workers. path several years now. The most However, incredulity creeps in significant fallout is the increase in various cases. For example, fixed- the number of contract workers, term employment contracts will who account for about 43% of snatch away all the protections Rajasthan’s organised workforce. given to short-term assignment Also, in Gujarat, the Industrial workers/employees. Disputes Act was diluted because of which employers could dismiss Best example under this sector the workers at their will without would be the informal any bureaucratic approvals. This construction sector that employs step was taken under the purview a large number of unskilled that Gujarat can gain access to a workers, who can use the labour great deal of private investment, force at their will. A big move which actually turned the state was taken by the Parliamentary into a major manufacturing hub. standing committee to remove But apart from the legal changes, the definition of a “wage worker” there were many fiscal incentives as it excludes many of those at that were granted like cheap land, the margins. tax holidays and many others.

It is still not clear as to which 61 measure actually helped Gujarat – whether it was the dilution of However, just by changing the law labour protection laws or was it and doing nothing else will neither the investment brought in by the improve the economic activity nor new investors. An important point advance the labour welfare. It is to note here is that Gujarat important to ensure that the states witnessed some serious agitation now focus more on building among the workers followed by support institutions for skilling strikes as the laws were diluted. It which will also take care of their is true that India’s labour laws social security and basic incomes. were very stringent and rigid and this resulted in keeping the firm’s Bibliography: size small. 1.Amir Ullah Khan. (September 2020). “Promise and pitfalls of new labour deal”. Mint. 2.Anonymous. (September 2020). “Parliament passes 3 Bills related to Labour Law”. DD News. DID YOU KNOW? According to the Gender Gap Index in 2020, India has slipped to the 112 th position from the previous 108 th in 2018. According to the report, it will take India close to 100 years to bridge the gap in areas of politics, economy, health and education.

62 Source :abplive.com THE DYNAMICS One of the key reasons for people to go for a government job is because of the amount of stability and AND security it provides. Working for the government sector also provides a sense of satisfaction that they are COMPLICATIONS working on the behalf of the citizens on the local, state or national level. As much as comfort a government job provides, it also has its own cons. Many government INVOLVED IN employees have to deal with certain issues regarding the GOVERNMENT politics, decision making process involved in the job, etc. As a public sector employee, one’s employer is heavily influenced by the politics of the government. For JOBS example, if one is employed at a particular state agency during which the highest executives and board members By Archana A are appointed by the governor, the atmosphere and even the agency’s organizational chart can change after a replacement governor is elected. Such changes might III B.A.Economics not affect their job negatively. But they still require a transition and should affect their co-workers.

Because public sector employees 63 work for publicly funded employers, there involves rigorous government sector is pre-defined public scrutiny of the work and approved, hence no produced. Any work produced, exceptional cases or changes are from an annual report back to an accommodated, like during a interoffice memo, are often private sector job. reviewed at any time by either an official or a citizen who files an Problems faced during the open records request. If someone COVID-19 crisis: calls and asks one for information, One such case was reported by they would possibly be legally news18, on 6th May 2020, and the required to share it. headline read: With No Transport Facility, Compulsory Attendance': Transfers are a feature of the Govt Employees Walk for Hours to government sector too. Travelling reach the Workplace. “We are to different parts of the country quite willing to urge back to our and the world for work purposes is normal lives if there's some also prevalent in government transport facility arranged by our jobs.Several government jobs office to unravel our mobility require their employees to travel to issues,” a government employee different parts of the country or told The Logical Indian. world, depending on their job role and this could be difficult if one is Government offices across Delhi, a working parent, since one will be Kolkata and other cities, including constantly on the move either those of the transport, tourism and together with your family or by excise departments and therefore themselves. the sub-registrar, opened recently after over 40 days amid the When a government job is lockdown imposed to contain the weighed against the same role spread of COVID-19. Talking about but in the private sphere, it is a Delhi, a variety of employees did clear fact that the salary not reach their offices due to package one is offered would unavailability of conveyance. be at a relatively lower scale, Neighbouring cities had also thanks to the very fact that the sealed their borders with the majority salary bands within the capital to contain the spread of the virus.

Several government employees 64 couldn't attend their offices. Those having their own vehicles attended After six months of closure India office, but those that did not have has the second highest number of vehicles faced difficulties in wake cases within the world with quite of suspension of conveyance,\" 5.73 million positive cases. The News18 quoted Batra as saying. government lifted lockdown restrictions during a phased It is the lockdown and the manner while the shutdown took a unavailability of conveyance that toll on the country's economy. has finally brought in light the infrastructural loopholes, people The pandemic has wreaked havoc have now begun questioning the on the work landscape in India. government for urging employees According to the Centre for to work from office, with full Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) knowledge of the barriers posed about 21 million salaries employees by the pandemic led lockdown, lost their jobs during April-August. which was reported in the initial There were 86 million salaried jobs phase of the lockdown. in India during 2019-20. Government employees According to the International Labour Organization, it's acknowledged that when the estimated that the pandemic could reduce global working lockdown is an initiative by the hours by nearly 7% in Q2 of 2020 - like 195 million full-time government itself, asking jobs.” employees to 'somehow' reach In India, from March-end, most government sector companies office isn't fair. Their appeal to the have resorted to either sack employees asking them to travel on government is to supply them with indefinite leave without pay or slashed salaries by the maximum the required facilities, because amount as 85%, stated a report by Outlook India. As per the expecting their attendance knowledge suggested by the National Sample Survey (NSS) and otherwise isn't rational. Transport Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS), it's estimated that overall had been one main challenge 136 million government jobs are at immediate risk in post-corona faced by the government India.” employees during the pandemic. India is one among the foremost affected countries from the coronavirus pandemic. To battle the global epidemic, the government had to impose a strict lockdown.

On the whole, due to the 65 pandemic, we can see how the government employees are hit Bibliography: massively. One such incident is 1.“The COVID-19 impact on stating the compulsions that the government sector jobs amidst employees have to do the job crisis - Is your job safe?”. (August irrespective of the crisis. The irony 2020). Hindustan Times. is that, the government brushing aside or not giving priority to help 2.Sumanti Sen. (May 2020). “No its own employees. The pandemic Transport Facility, Yet Mandatory has hit every sector adversely and Attendance: Govt Employees Walk is taking a toll on people's mind, For Hours To Reach Workplace”. psychologically. The Logical Indian. 3.Priyanka Roshan. (September 2020). “COVID-19 impact on India | Multiple sectors affected in six months of lockdown”. Moneycontrol. DID YOU KNOW? The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that worldwide approximately 218 million children between 5 and 17 years are engaged in some form of employment. Among them, 152 million are victims of child labour; almost half of this figure – 73 million – work in hazardous child labour conditions – working in mines, with chemicals and pesticides in agriculture, or with dangerous machinery.

66 BOOK REVIEW: BOYS WITHOUT NAMES, KASHMIRA SHETH Reviewed by Kaveri. G I B.A. Economics Source: goodreads.com Overview: Book: Boys Without Names Author: Kashmira Sheth ★★★★☆Genre: Young Adult, Realist Fiction Rating: 4/5 Gopal’s father is a farmer who is now heavily debt-ridden due to insufficient produce. To quote his Baba: “We stay, we starve.” Gopal, being the eldest sibling of the family, is brought up in a manner that makes him feel responsible to take care of his family and ease the financial burden. From the very beginning, he thinks of getting a side job alongside school to help out his father. They struggle to reach his uncle’s place, his father getting lost in the city in the process. Gopal is soon drugged by a young man he meets on the street who promises him a good job at a factory.

He is taken to a dingy looking small 67 sweatshop where he is imprisoned with five other boys and forced to The book takes some time to detail work under poor living conditions. on these aspects and illuminates How they develop interpersonal the socio-economic background of relationships among themselves Gopal’s family. despite the existing power dynamics at play to escape from The author next shows the harsh the place form the rest of the tale. living of children forced into child The book is a short read that looks labour. In the sweatshop Gopal is at the issue of child labour from the abducted to, kids as old as seven first-person perspective. The author and eight are forced to make keeps in mind the target age-group beaded frames for minimum 10 and manages to convey heavy hours continuously; this has a issues like exploitation of labour and detrimental impact on their health cruelty of children without being and wellbeing. The kids are shown graphic; while the points sink and to be overworked and underfed; are hard-hitting, it doesn’t take too statistics have shown that children much of a toll on the emotional forced to work for long hours are psyche of the reader. The book can more prone to diseases than their be divided into two parts: reaching peers. This is shown when the kids Mumbai and life in the sweatshop. often have aches all over their The struggle to reach his uncle’s body and blisters and rashes on place is described in vivid detail their skin. The kids are extremely and captures the grim reality of malnourished as well, thus every single person who emigrates increasing their chances of to cities with the dream of a ‘better developing serious medical illness; living’. one of the boys develop a high fever that thankfully subsides The existing dualism in the after the reluctant intervention of society is reflected throughout the Boss. the pages; this is shown when the protagonist watches people Increased rate of child labour is rush back to their cars to avoid harmful to the economy as well, as the downpour while those living skilled labourers will be replaced on the pavements and small by unskilled, young children only shacks brave the storm and try benefits a small section of the to save their few possessions. society (the one-percenters).

68 The children are ill-treated and not This story in fact paints a even considered as human beings; comparatively rosy picture of the one of the boys reveal to Gopal conditions and effects of child during the course of a labour. As everybody details their conversation that many- a- times respective stories that pushed they were threatened to be ‘sold them here, we understand first- off’ to other, more harmful arenas hand that the threat of the of work like making fireworks. firework factory was no joke. From Nearing the end, that seems to be having to work all day in a the case as the ‘Boss’ is seen roadside tea stall to being forced negotiating with someone on the into a gang of pick-pockets, the phone, presumably to either shift boys felt comparatively safe in their ‘business centre’ or sell the their present state, which was a boys to another employer in need saddening fact to read. for cheap labour. This shows the running of a parallel economy in Oftentimes, kids and their parents are full swing, where they have their fooled by the tempting picture of own ‘demand’ and ‘supply’. stable wages in exchange for menial work by these greedy employers. This also prevents future supply of With no other choice, the kids go with skilled labour to the economy; them to try and save their family from studies have shown it takes a long abject poverty, only to realise they time for the ones saved from were tricked. These ‘bosses’ pay little forced labour to rehabilitate back to no wages to them and extract to the society and even then, not double the work than the maximum many make it. possible by the child. The story ends on a happy, positive note, but the reality is far from fiction. Overall, this is a book that conveys a deeply moving tale while throwing light to the harsh reality of those existing at the margin. .

69 Source: feedough.com LABOUR ISSUES The ‘Gig Economy’ is a modern term for short term IN THE GIG work relationships. This form of employment also ECONOMY called a platform economy, sharing economy, on- demand economy or peer economy gained By Harini Sivaram significance during the 2007-08 economic crisis. A Gig Economy is a free market system where II B.A. Economics organizations contract with independent workers for a short term project or service engagement for which the payment is made once the task is completed. The main participants in the demand side of the gig economy are online startups, small and medium enterprises, solo entrepreneurs, even some big corporations who regularly recruit gig workers on short term assignments. The supply side is dominated by individual workers or small agencies, freelancers, freelance agencies and independent consultants. Some examples of gig economy platforms and applications include Upwork, Airbnb, Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex, Zomato, Swiggy, etc.

70 Though the gig economy offers Additionally, they face issues of major benefits such as flexibility, payment protection after the efficient use of time, freedom etc, successful delivery of the work. it has an adverse impact on the Workers in a gig economy are not industry working environment. The eligible for any social benefits such basic challenges faced by the gig as insurance, medical benefits, workers are unstable job, employees’ provident fund, bonus uncertain pay schedules, unsteady or gratuity. They also do not have workload, lack of social benefits any employment-related rights. and/or any statutory protection, no regulations, lower bargaining These issues have to be addressed power, less scope to get skill up- by the employers, regulators and gradation, lower credit access, legislators to develop the gig lack of legal protection, economy and bring out its discrimination, inequality, and maximum potential for the benefit regional disparity. One of the key of the countries and the global labour issues in the gig economy is economy. the exploitation of the individual workers as unlike traditional Carefully drafted laws that employees, gig workers don’t have the right to form unions and recognise the reality of platform bargain collectively. Workers classification as employees or work and guarantee to platform independent contractors is also an important issue as workers get workers both procedural rights and benefits from being classified as employees. There is a lack of laws substantial rights are the immediate in addressing gender discrepancies while getting gig solutions for these issues as the gig work on online gig platforms. economy continues to grow in There is a lack of framework and governmental support for creating importance. A proper worker a conducive environment for quality work/project, workers classification, separate labour laws protection and access to benefits. As there is no guarantee of a to reflect the changing nature of the steady income, it is hard to ascertain a person’s gig economy, employment rights and creditworthiness. benefits provisions for the gig workers can solve the issues of the gig economy labour and ensure smooth working of the gig economy. The other steps such as creating international engagement, empowering gig economy workers and introducing tripartite systems are essential. Labour Unions, Managements and the government could form a system to solve the disputes of the gig economy.

71 Source:Fair Quid Covid 19 has greatly affected the job They can be hired and fired at market. Though it led to an increase will. The delivery workers are in the job opportunities in the gig discriminated on the basis of their economy, the issues faced by the working hours which they choose. workers have also increased and Also, the workers who choose to worsened in recent times. Online jobs work fewer hours are nudged to in the field of marketing, designing, work inhumane hours. Their IT, etc have increased as well as incentives are changed anytime app-based delivery jobs such as Big and the workers have no say in it. Basket, Zomato, Swiggy, Uber have increased. But in certain cases such Hence, the gig economy has many as the recent Swiggy’s move of labour issues that hinder its changes in the incentive structure growth. Employers, regulators and led to a strike by the delivery the government have to take a partners in Chennai. The new wage thoughtful approach to manage policy provides only Rs.15/order as these and other issues that might against the earlier rate of come up in the future. Rs.35/order which is way lower than the bare minimum to make a living. A survey carried out by two Bibliography: oxford researchers rated Zomato 1.Roy, Gobinda & Shrivastava, 4/10 for its working conditions in Avinash. (2020). “Future of Gig India. The delivery workers get Economy: Opportunities and little employment benefits and no Challenges”. IMI Konnect. fixed salary.

72 2.Terzo, Giuseppe & Giaconia, 5.“Gig Economy - Prospects and Cinzia. (2018). “How the gig Challenges”.(2020).Ilearncana. economy is shaping the labour market and its effects on the 6.Amlan Mishra. (2019). “How Do Welfare State”. EconWorld. Zomato, Other Apps Actually Treat Their ‘Informal’ Workers?”.The Quint. 3.Professor Paul Oyer. (2017). “Labour and Employment Issues in 7.Digbijay Mishra. (2019). “Gig economy the Gig Economy”.Analysis Group weighs impact of social security for workers”.The Economic Times. 4.Manishii Pathak and Srijita Jha. (2019). “India and the Gig 8.“Gig Economy: Statistics, Why is it Economy”. Induslaw. growing, Pros & Cons, Impact of Covid 19”. MBA Universe. DID YOU KNOW? In the late nineteenth century, the working class was in constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day. Working conditions were severe. Death and injury were commonplace at many work places, inspiring books such Jack London’s The Iron Heel. Towards 1860’s, working people agitated to shorten the workday without a cut in pay, but it wasn't until the late 1880’s that organized labor was able to garner enough strength to declare the 8-hour workday.

73 Source: feminisminindia.com NOT DOMESTIC Majority of high income households, and upper ‘HELP’ BUT middle class families in India employ domestic DOMESTIC workers. Domestic workers are those workers who ‘WORK’ are employed and paid to complete cleaning, and other menial tasks in people’s homes. With the By Amrita Vellayan income inequality gap growing each day, the eternally existing task of bridging the gap III B.A. Economics between the rich and the poor seems unreachable. While domestic help is common in India, awareness about their rights and the pertinent laws are absent in the minds of many employers. Since domestic workers are present in both organized and unorganized sectors, the laws covering them are more complex than drafting and implementing other labour laws. Domestic work is a major source of income for illiterate people or those with very minimal education, especially illiterate women.

As per official statistics the 74 number of domestic workers cross 4.5 million, with more than 3 million Another important factor for the being women, but the real number exploitation apart from the lack of is predicted to be multiple times laws is the power dynamics that more, almost 20 to 80 million(ILO). exists between the employee and The domain is considered to highly employer. There are neither proper be a female one. Another job descriptions nor are there any unfortunate factor is a large kind of written contracts. For these number of domestic workers are reasons they are subjected to minors. Though the numbers are underpayment, undefined hours, large, many do not even receive harsh working conditions and the minimum wages to be paid, more. work long hours, have poor working conditions and so on. They are regrettably attracted by While the average income varies the salary, living conditions, perks based on the work performed, offered by the employers and very place, environment etc, as per often face exploitation. Many findings in Delhi the average come from vulnerable or lower income was Rs.1875. Domestic class communities and a large work is still slow to be recognized majority even migrate from places as ‘real’ work and there are not like Orissa, Jharkhand, and Bihar. many concrete laws, regulations or policies governing them. The main Another major problem in this reason for the heavy exploitation is sector is the middlemen in the form the inadequate laws in this of the placement agencies. They informal sector. provide workers to employers often not revealing all the facts to Redressal and implementation the workers for their personal mechanisms are lacking, and benefit. Making some remedial this arises from the faulty long efforts, the Labour and Skills existing thought process that Department has revised the wage home cannot be a workplace. rate for household workers and set The domestic workers are not it at Rs.37.50(2018) for every hour even recognised as ‘workers’ of domestic chores such as and not included as a part of cleaning, cooking etc. The wage the productive growth of the rate varies for other kinds of work country. such as baby-sitting and taking care of the elderly.

Some states however, like Tamil 75 Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka have fixed minimum wages for these Also, for the very first time, workers. For instance, Rajasthan domestic workers have been has set the minimum wage rate at recognized as workers in the a sum of Rs.5642. This is a step in Unorganized Sector Social Security the correct direction, but minimum Act, 2008. The Domestic Workers wages are not enough to crop the Act was also introduced in 2008 to growing exploitation. Several laws regulate payment, working like the Domestic Workers’ Welfare conditions and have a check on Bill, 2016, Domestic Workers trafficking. This Act is applicable Welfare and Social Security Act, everywhere in India(except 2010 were never passed. The most Jammu and Kashmir). It does not close-to-success approach has apply to domestic workers who been that of trade unions and have immigrated from another collective action, but this method country. According to the act, any again is disadvantageous for the person between the age of 18 and workers as most of the trade union 60 who is engaged in domestic demands are unenforceable. work for at least 90 days in the preceding 12 months can be Remembering what the Universal categorised as a domestic worker. Declaration of the Human rights Act(Article 7) says- “All are equal At the international level, before the law and are entitled domestic work is being without any discrimination to equal recognised as actual productive protection of the law”, domestic work. Many countries such as workers undergo merciless Brazil, Honk Kong, Spain, Italy, exploitation. Switzerland, Philippines, South Africa have labour laws or Keeping the above mentioned mechanisms to protect and elements in mind and recognizing promote rights of the domestic the importance of covering the workers. domestic labour sector with laws, the Ministry of Labour and All in all, India should work Employment, Government of India, towards bringing in more has acknowledged the importance structured, and functional labour of domestic work to households laws for domestic workers and see and the need to improve welfare to its implementation. While we and regulatory measures for are moving in the right direction, it promoting decent work for is merely an iota of the work to be domestic workers. done. To drive out exploitation and increase the welfare of the domestic workers, India should

76 take a leaf out of the book that 4.ILO.(n.d). “About Domestic countries like France, Italy, and Workers”. Sweden read. After all, one should remember it is not domestic ‘help’ 5.UN.(n.d). “Rights for Domestic but domestic ‘work’! Workers”. Bibliography: 6.WageIndicator. (2020). 1.Yashvi Ganeriwal (2018). “Domestic Paycheck.in. “Domestic Work in Workers In India Have No Laws Protecting Their Rights”. Feminism India” In India. 7.Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 2.Martin OELZ. (n.d). “Labour law coverage for domestic workers: Press, Information and What, Why and How?”. International Labour Organization. Communication Department.(2008). 3.EPW Engage. (2018). “Where are “So which is the most important? the Laws to Protect the Rights of Domestic Workers in India?”. Sixty years of the United Nations Economic and Political Weekly. Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. Government Offices of Swedes DID YOU KNOW? On an average of 1.5 million, young Indians enter the job market every month.

77 MGNREGA - A PANACEA FOR REVERSE MIGRATION By Shanmuga Priya B III B.A.Economics Source : papertyari.com Covid-19 certainly has kindled in a renewed focus on healthcare systems, sanitation, and most importantly, employment in the rural areas of the country. The pandemic has thrown light on the huge inadequacies and challenges of our healthcare structure that the government and the citizens had not foreseen. Millions of skilled and unskilled migrants moved across the country in droves to their hometowns in the absence of income and work and means to sustain their life. Around 30 million (3 Crore) or 15- 20% of the total urban workforce left for their hometowns, accounting for the largest ever reverse migration trend in the country, exclusive of intra-state migration. The World Bank in its report mentioned that a whopping number of 40 million internal migrants were harshly affected by the lockdown. Now that the country is just a few steps from opening up in full, concerns about workers moving back in search of work remain in the air.

The Mahatma Gandhi National 78 Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which has a mixed families under MGNREGA were track record in sustaining the more self-reliant and less livelihood of people in distress by dependent on government providing guaranteed employment programmes for a livelihood, and considerate wages might be according to the results of an the only way out for the worst of evaluation conducted by the Tata the worst-affected. But, will the Institute of Social Sciences (2017). scheme be a viable and sustainable employment option for The Ministry of Finance the days and years to come? This announced Rs. 40,000 crore fund article aims to analyse the allocation to MGNREGA on the significance of MGNREGA as an onset of the fourth phase of employment provider to the fleets lockdown in May, while under the of reverse migrants in the country. What is MGNREGA? Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the MGNREGA, the world’s largest government plans in creating jobs guarantee work programme, is the for 300 Crore persons, and the legitimised pioneer of the national average wages of fundamental ‘Right to Work’. The workers also saw an increase from scheme does that by providing a Rs. 182 per day per person to Rs. time-bound guarantee of work for 202, with effect from April 1st, 100 days a year, with considerate 2020. fixed wages. Workers under the scheme are assigned to agriculture Unemployment and Work and related capacity building Allocation Concerns projects thus ensuring sustainable Unemployment has always been a development for all, as advocated perennial problem for a developing by Gandhi. country like India, especially in times of crisis. The unemployment The scheme has reasonable rate of the country reached an all- success stories to its credit, all time high of close to 24% in April , across the country. A study by while the rate of unemployment is Parida (2016) at Odisha proves that expected to reach 8-8.5% in 2020- MGNREGA has played an 21, which may increase owing to important role in the agricultural the reverse migration trends. The off-season by providing work to reverse migration trends have the needy, the poor, and the altered the demand-supply socially marginalised communities. dynamics in rural India In various villages in Sikkim, significantly. Areas that previously had negative net migration rates

are now expected to experience 79 labour surplus, while the locations that may need workers might lack Srivastava (2020) has estimated supply. The trends in reverse the number at 5.9 crore short- migration and its impact on local duration circular migrant workers employment in states are visible, in the year 2017-18. In the same with Uttarakhand topping the study, vulnerable long-term charts in both the number of circular migrants have been reverse migrants and the identified at 6.9 crores in the same period. Source: CMIE unemployment rate at around Putting together numbers of 22.3% as of September. short-term and long-term The state is followed by Tripura at vulnerable workers gives us a total 17.4% and Bihar at 11.9%. Thus a of about 13 Crore (130 million) strong correlation can be inferred workers, who are deeply affected between the amount of reverse by the Covid-19 crisis. migration and the unemployment rate in a given state. Another The wage rate in MGNREGA has trend that is recognisable from been a huge concern for policy literature is that migration is no makers across India. While the longer a one-way street. recent increase in wages seemed quite positive at the onset, the Seasonal and circular migration wage hike is lesser than the continues to grow and take various minimum wage rate in certain forms (Connell et.al., 1976). Amongst states. Wage rates in the year which, vulnerable circular migrants are 2019 seemed to be on the same termed as the most distressed section trajectory, with the MGNREGA of migrants, which include both Short- wage hike being lesser than the term seasonal and long-term minimum wages in 33 states. Long occupationally vulnerable workers. payment delays also with meager wages add to the burden on

80 workers under the scheme. If states learn from their past Another important loophole in the mistakes and amend the working scheme is the availability of work system of the act, then surely it for such a huge number of workers may do wonders in rural seeking work under the scheme. In employment in the country. most cases, work is inadequate for such a huge number of workers. Bibliography: 1.John Connell, Biplab Dasgupta, Conclusion Roy Laishley and Michael Lipton. While MGNREGA fails in (1979). “Migration from Rural Areas addressing a lot of important : The Evidence from Village issues, COVID-19 certainly allows Studies”. New Zealand it to fit the dynamic changes in Geographer. employment and work conditions. Making amendments to the act can 2.Srivastava, R. (2020). “Understanding Circular Migration be the only way out if the act in India: Its Nature and Dimensions, the Crisis under needs to be sustainable in the long Lockdown and the Response of the State”. Institute for Human term. MGNREGA gives a rights- Development. based framework to migrants seeking skilled and unskilled labour opportunities but lacks in giving enough benefits to the workers. Work under the scheme should be 3.Vasudevan, G., Singh, S., Gupta, G., & Jalajakshi, C. K. (2020). allocated efficiently, as per the “MGNREGA in the Times of COVID-19 and Beyond: Can India project needs. While COVID-19 put do More with Less?”. The Indian journal of labour economics: the a halt to a lot of existing projects, quarterly journal of the Indian Society of Labour Economics, 1–16. a lot of new projects are on the Advance online publication. anvil. While cash crunch and plunging aggregate demand are looming over the country’s economy, MGNREGA can be used as a tool to put money in the hands of the needy. The propensity to 4.Parida, J. K. (2016). “MGNREGA, distress migration and livelihood consume of a rural worker is way conditions: a study in Odisha”. Journal of Social and Economic higher than that of an urban Development. employee. Cash-based transactions can be a game- changer in this scenario. Instead of reliance on Aadhar, the unbanked should be remunerated regularly by the means of cash.

81 Source: The Kathmandu Post UNVEILING THE In today’s fast-developing economy, education is of CAUSES BEHIND utmost importance for landing a prestigious job, and as time goes on, we see an increase in the number of educated youth in our country. But lo and behold, there are challenges for creating jobs given this HIGH large supply of labour emerging year after year. The increasing population and excess importance to UNEMPLOYMENT these jobs has also brought about a negative effect on the economy in terms of high unemployment rate. RATES The pressure from our parents about making 'proper' career choices can be quite overwhelming By Mahisa.P especially when they have certain expectations. The best way to tackle the problem is to identify micro III B.A. Economics tasks that one is good at and look for a prospective job that inculcates all those tasks. This helps in identifying various skills and finding suitable jobs instead of choosing a job that is hyped due to its high salary.

82 It also allows us to learn new skills But this does not aid the existing sets required for the job. At times, growing population and the young graduates are confused increasing demand for jobs. Prime regarding what career path to take. Minister Narendra Modi had A solution is to look out for internship emphasised this in his recent programs that can give an insight to a Independence Day speech saying, particular field and then be able to “We need to worry about population make your decision. explosion” in contrast to his previous speech where he said that the To improve one’s ability to get country’s population is an asset. employed in a highly competitive Population explosion has increased industry, they may need to have the number of students finishing hands-on experience, various skills schools but has also increased the and talent.But in 2017-18, as many as amount of substandard colleges. 33% of college graduates lack these necessary skills leaving them jobless. According to the All India Council for There is a wide spectrum of problems Technical Education (AICTE), as many arising due to lack of skill education. as 200 colleges have applied for The major cause being the rote closure and AICTE wants 800 more learning-based education system colleges to close down. With the new where theoretical knowledge is given National Education Policy, it has importance rather than interactive created a flexibility for learning, schools providing degrees undergraduate students to study without focusing on imparting any abroad, an option to study for 3 or 4 necessary skills, lack of proper years (includes a year of research), teaching staff, infrastructure and students who studied a 4 year UG also population. course can opt for a 1-year masters degree, M.Phil will be discontinued With a large number of people and so much more changes. specialising in a specific sector, any dynamic changes in those sectors The NEP has made few significant can affect them greatly for the best changes in its policy, but maybe it is or the worst. Currently, the the school curriculum we should look slowdown of the technology sector into. Most of the school syllabus is has caused many to lose their jobs as over a decade old and hasn't been companies plan to cut costs, improve revamped from time to time. On the productivity and meet growth other hand, Germany is well ahead in agendas as a result of losing their terms of skills. customer base.

How so? There, the children all 83 study together till grade 4 after which the student will go on for Bibliography: higher education stream or 1.Chopra, Ritika. (November, vocational stream based on their 2020). “Explained: Here Are the performance. Vocational students Key Takeaways of India's National then spend their time harnessing Education Policy”. The Indian their skill and studying part-time Express. and getting hands-on experience at internships while at school, and 2.(December, 2019). “Education educational students can further System in Germany - Overview of study to be professionals in their the German School System”. Study fields. This education system helps in Germany for Free. students earn at a higher wage cost per hour. 3.Anonymous. (June, 2018). The steps that can be taken to “Engineering Jobs: 94% of improve the skill education has Engineering Graduates Are Not Fit been initiated by the government for Hiring, Says This IT Stalwart”. through various programmes such The Economic Times. as DIKSHA, Rashtriya Aavishkar 4. Jaffrelot, Christophe. Abhiyan program, SWAYAM, (September, 2019). “The Problem of Digital India, Skill India, etc. The Skilling India”. The Indian Express. ‘Skill India’ programme along with ‘Make in India’ proved to work 5.(July, 2020). “National Education hand in hand in creating new jobs Policy 2020”. People's Archive of with the help of foreign Rural India. investments. Skill India aims at training 300 million people by the 6. Shankar, Ajay. (February, year of 2022 which had its 2020). “India Must Focus on Skill- limitations. Based Education”. The Hindu Business Line. The education sector on the other hand can play a significant role in 7. Moilanen, Samantha. closing the unemployment gap by (November, 2018). “Does Parental teaching pedagogies, integrating Pressure Play a Role in Career technologically advanced skills and Choice?”. The Adams Kilt. encouraging online learning. 8. Sharma, Manoj, and Follow. “Why Indian Engineers Are Not Getting Jobs?” LinkedIn. Accessed November 23, 2020.

9. Sindwani, Prerna. (November, 84 2019). “Benching, Firing and Re- Deploying - the Story of 20,000 10. Divya Jain. (September, 2019). Employees at Tech Majors”. “Why 33% of Formally Trained Business Insider. Youth Remained Unemployed in 2017-18 Alone: Need for Skill Development”. India Today. DID YOU KNOW? According to International Labour Organization there were 1.17 crores bonded labourers in 2014.The latest available data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicate that there were 8,132 reported cases of human trafficking across India in 2016. The Low-income states such as Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh are more vulnerable to prevalence of bonded labour. A large number of bonded labourers are also rescued every year from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

85 Source:Melodie Descoubes THE IMPACT OF Have you ever watched The Office? They clearly highlight through comedy, the constant objectification of women in workplace ecosystems. #METOO These problems have prevailed in the real world for a long time now. Almost half a decade has passed MOVEMENT AND since the #METOO movement gained flight and brought about a whirlwind of changes in the CURRENT attitudes, behaviours of people along with widespread awareness of the masses all over the WORKPLACE world. However, some big questions remain unanswered. What has changed? How can we ECOSYSTEMS confirm that sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in the workplace has decreased? What happened to the women and victims of other By Purva Soni genders who spoke up against these organisations? II B.A.Economics For this article, a comprehensive study conducted by the Harvard Business Review in the United States is chosen.

In the year of 2016, 250 women in 86 the workforce were surveyed in the U.S., and were questioned on the Sexual harassment in the pervasiveness & prevalence of workplace is any unwelcome sexual harassment in their sexual advancement or behavior, respective workplaces and also on including sexual contact, how it impacts them. The derogatory remarks, jokes or participants ranged in age from 25 insinuations, showing or circulating to 45 and were working as full-time offensive images, or phone calls, employees in the US. emails or texts that are offensive or threatening. Explicit sexual The officials also reconnected with requests may also be involved. This some of the women they previously may occur between co-workers or interviewed to see whether they’ve someone who has control over seen changes or have changed continued jobs, promotion or a their views. The overall sample for successful job evaluation in a the survey data consisted of 513 supervisory role and it had vastly women. damaging physiological and psychological effects and it also This survey was meant to gather affects the productivity of the quantitative evidence about employee on a micro level and in changes in the workplace extreme cases it affects the ecosystems since #MeToo. Sexual reputation, goodwill and the harassment was measured along profits of organisations on a macro the lines of gender harassment, level. unwanted sexual attention and sexual coercion. The surveyors also Source: Comparably.com measured participants’ self-esteem Credit Frank Pompa, USA TODAY and self-doubt, to see how these correlated with their experiences. Descriptive statistics from the findings showed that gender harassment is the most common type of sexual harassment followed by unwanted sexual attention and sexual coercion.

87 Although the estimates of sexual HR departments are more alert harassment range from study to and are looking to create a diverse study, 87% of women in this sample workplace environment. However, reported that they had the movement also backfired in experienced at least one form of some organisations and led to the sexual harassment. The findings creation of a more hostile work from the 2016 interviews suggest environment for women in these that even though most women organizations. The immediate reported being sexually harassed, effect of the movement is that big only a few of them ever reported it companies are becoming more out of fear of negative aware and have started setting up repercussions. internal panels and policies. Organizational violations such as workplace misconduct & Although this online movement has not only encouraged the harassment stem from methods of awareness around precautionary and remedial measures but has led human resource management that people to bring change, think about the social concerns and aim to reduce production costs and communicate about it. meet inflated production goals. Job well-being enhancements are On the flipside, to stay out of often viewed as expenditures rather than investments. However disputes, companies and what organisations and HR departments today need to realise organisations may even choose not is that an inclusive and safe workplace environment and to employ or employ fewer women culture, will automatically boost morale and will drive high levels of workers. productivity and increased operational results The women’s movement that has emerged over the last two years When asked about how the will hold a profound place in #MeToo movement has brought history, particularly in relation to about cultural changes; the women the sexual harassment of women. spoke about how male allies have Yet, its impact has not been played a monumental role in empirically examined, to date. This ensuring that gender equity is study offers the first attempt to maintained in the workplace. assess changes in the experience of sexual harassment for women in the workplace over the last two years.

The chain reaction of the #MeToo 88 movement has begun in workplaces, all over the world. But Bibliography what matters more is how it is 1.Stefanie K. Johnson, Ksenia being translated into the mindset Keplinger, Jessica F. Kirk, and Liza of people and in rigid workplace Barnes. (July, 2019). “Has Sexual compendiums and laws. An Harassment at Work Decreased organization is made by its Since #MeToo?”. Harvard Business employees. Ensuring inclusivity and Review equity in the workplace for every employee irrespective of their gender, religion, sexuality is the need of the hour in the current context. DID YOU KNOW? The Global Slavery Index is a global study of modern slavery conditions by countries, published by the Walk Free Foundation. Modern Slavery includes individuals being exploited for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced marriage, domestic servitude, and forced criminality.It estimates that on any given day in 2016 there were nearly 8 million people living in “modern slavery” in India; India ranked 53 out of 167 countries.

89 Source: shutterstock.com NEED FOR A “It is rightly said that our personality is sometimes CONDUCIVE the average of people around us and our WORKSPACE surroundings.’’ As we speak of personalities, words ENVIRONMENT like character, responses, behaviour, actions come AND CULTURE into mind and when we use them in a larger context, a word like culture will always stay in the limelight. By Ankita G So, as a social being, we are bound to interact with a group of people eventually so that group can be III B.A. Economics with anyone, either the family or friends or even people they work with. When we take into consideration the people we work with, the workspace or the workforce culture plays a very pivotal role in that because if we take in any aspect or any consideration a culture will obviously define what kind of person we will be, or it will define who we are. For example, just think of people of Tamil Nadu, we obviously find them very simple, very cultural, and very orthodox at times that is because a very simple

culture of way flows into their 90 system; similarly, we will find the people of Delhi bit more flamboyant But on the other hand, if we see than the other parts of the world people like Ratan Tata or even because such a culture flows into some of the small players in the them. In the majority of cases, market, they did not lay off their people who work or employers are employees because they thought merely treated as labourers or or because they felt that these people who are paid for doing people were an inherent part of certain work. They are not treated the organisation and they played a as a part of the organization wholly very important role. This might be or they are not even considered as a factor that we should start a part of the organizational process. addressing and start giving They are just merely people who emphasis to workspace culture are paid to work for a specific because it is like any other thing, or they are delegated to do a infrastructure, say as specific job and that is where the technological infrastructure or majority of the organisations take a physical infrastructure which is hit. Now considering the difference very much required in a country between successful organizations like ours where there is a high rate and the organization which of labour exploitation. If we see a struggles to survive, we will find successful organization like Google that the major difference is in the or Microsoft or Reliance or Tata, way they are operating their their culture allows them to explore employees rather and find things and come up with differences between how they innovative solutions. Some of the approach their workspace or reasons why this workspace work culture. They give imminent culture is so significant: importance to their people or human resources. Source- Moneycontrol Going with the current COVID situation, we could see a large number of organizations laying off their employees on the grounds that they were not able to sustain because of such high employee costs.

(1) Workspace culture defines the 91 human resources of the organization. Good culture creates Nobody speaks of the workforce assets, bad cultures are sunk cost culture because what they feel is meaning that good cultures will not getting a job is more important. only help the employee perform The biggest change in the culture well but also will it help him find his we can see is the pattern of work own abilities and own talents even from home. Earlier it was devised if he is having no technical skills. It that people should come to the gives them a system to office sit for specific hours and communicate freely among the work, but now that has been workspaces. culturally shifted to, them working from home virtually and they need (2) A culture gives its workforce a not have a fixed time of working brand identity of the organization. and they can work from anywhere. A particular culture will define a So unless and until organizations particular entity. People are very pay attention to care about the much willing to work in Google workspace culture, it is imperative because everyone knows that if that it will be very difficult for it to you get into Google, there are succeed just on the grounds of its certain perks or bonuses, which operation because at the end of the company is going to give. This the day it is not about what they way, it creates an internal sell, it is not going to be about to branding of the whole organization whom they are selling, it is not and bad cultures can destroy the going to be about what they do, it same reputation because the is at the end the result of an feedback system will obviously not organization is going to be. In the be so good in those cultures. end, it all depends upon how they can drive work culture. If their (3) Workspace culture will help work culture is very healthy, all them know whether these other things will fall in place employees are an asset, or they because they already have people are a liability. So, their culture will who can give commitment and play a very pivotal role in how dedication to their organization. their organization performs. Bibliography: In a country like India workspace 1.Anonymous. (August, 2020). culture as such is very “Establishing a positive workplace underemphasized. culture: definition, tips & why it's important”.RMIT

92 Source:Imran Sohail INFORMAL Paramount's part of the workforce in the WORKERS - THE developing countries, especially in India are from the unorganized sector. The informal labour market VICTIMS OF is an integral part of the Indian economy. Even HORNETS' NEST though the unorganized workers are entitled to laws and protection (Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act,2008 ) they are deprived from minimum standards of living and are prone to lower social security and welfare. In the Indian scenario, the unorganised workers are categorized in terms of occupation, nature of employment, service categories and specially distressed categories. By Nishevitha.S.K Agricultural labourers: Agriculture plays a II BA Economics significant role in providing employment opportunities for 57% of Indian workforce. Agriculture not only contributes to the overall growth of the economy , it also eradicates poverty and enhances food security.

But almost all labours are 93 vulnerable to a wide range of issues like seasonal employment ( on an Source: Labour Force Surveys, BBS average, a farm labourer has been employed for 197 days in a year and The incomes of the vendors are remain unemployed for the rest of quite low because most of the the year),lower wages ( low wages vendors have borrowed from generate a vicious cycle of moneylenders who charge high poverty),huge number of family rates of interest and the working members, social status and conditions of the vendors are also tough. unemployment due to technology (As a result of modernization and Waste pickers and recyclers: technological transformation only Waste pickers are those people the rich farmers are benefiting but who go through the garbage bins large section of the rural population to pick out the things we discard is unemployed). as waste. They contribute Home-based workers: “Home- immensely to waste management based workers” refers to the as they scavenge the recyclable general category of workers, within matter, thereby, saving the the informal economy who carry municipality cost and time of out remunerative work within their collecting and transporting this to homes. They are inclined to various the dumps. A waster picker's hindrances like lack of protection health is affected by various by labour laws (no policy or law for factors like eating habits, personal home workers exist in India ) , poor hygiene, living conditions etc. remunerative policies ( home-based Children often engage in waste workers are paid on a piece-rate, picking, to contribute to the family not on a time-basis and the wages income or to survive on their own. are extremely low) and lack of bargaining power and social protection. Street and market vendors : Street vendors are those with lower skills, who have migrated from rural areas or small towns to larger cities in search of jobs . Street vendors are usually hassled with the fear of harassment by authorities and bribes.

Lack of land ownership is an 94 integral problem in all countries . Many families working in waste and excluded from economic recovery live on the road side or planning and policies, informal platform or near landfills and are livelihoods will remain insecure and always at the risk of being evicted. less productive than they could be. What is needed is a change in the There are many challenges in the mindsets of policy makers to informal workforce , which are recognize and validate informal similar across all sectors and workers and their livelihoods regions of the world. Some of the accompanied by changes in laws, challenges are political and regulations and policies to protect conceptual challenges , lack of and promote informal workers and legal protection and clear their livelihoods. Even though both negotiating counterparts, diverse the central and state governments workplaces and insufficient have formulated many schemes to resources. advocate informal workers , it fails in meeting the real needs and One of the common issues faced by requirements of the unorganised all informal workers in all sectors of workforce. the society is the non applicability of social security measures. There are The government should make many times when a worker cannot be efforts to improve their working economically active , due to certain standards on a wide range of circumstances like sickness, old age , issues. Despite the challenges and or on account of personal calamities hindrances, the informal workers such as an accident or are organizing and becoming unemployment. visible locally, nationally and internationally. There are no proper social security measures to ensure the maintenance Bibliography: of basic living standards at times of 1.A.Muthusamy & Dr.M.Syed crises such as unemployment or health Ibrahim. (April, 2016). “Problems issues and to provide risk coverage. faced by informal workers in As long as informal units, workers and different sectors in India”. Indian activities are stigmatized by policy Journal of Applied Research makers as illegal and non-productive,

95 Source: pinterest.com Discrimination means treating one person or group worse than the others.The groups that are CASTE discriminated from getting due employment include the so-called lower caste people like Dalits and scheduled tribes. Discrimination in labour is also DISCRIMINATION faced by women. One kind of discrimination faced is based on what sex a person belongs to. India’s status has improved IN THE INDIAN in this case. There are a lot of places where women LABOUR MARKET are getting employment. Yet, there is an existence of a glass ceiling. There is no doubt that there are successful female entrepreneurs in India. It is just that the situation needs to improve. There are still a By Amritha Satish Kumar lot of women who are not allowed to become board members or occupy other authoritative positions like I B.A. Economics president because of the existence of a glass ceiling. On one hand, the success of development from not providing education to seeking employment can be enjoyed while on the other measures must be taken to improve the existing situation.

96 The other case is the discrimination Dalits were not allowed to access of labour based on caste. This discrimination started with the even water from the same well as advent of the varna system which classified people based on the caste the “upper caste”. So, employment and their employment. The Sanskrit term Varna has many meanings was way out of the league. which include type, class or order. The Varna system comprised of 4 In a research made on caste different classes. They were called the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas discrimination, it was found that and the Shudras. The first three classes faced no discrimination. The for every 10 upper caste people last class, the Shudras, bore the brunt of discrimination. These appointed only 6 Dalits and 3 people were the only ones who did the physical, unsophisticated and Muslims were chosen. Sanghmitra menial jobs. They were the helpers of the first three classes. Then came Acharya, a professor at JNU the untouchables which were termed during colonial rule. Dr wrote in one of her research Ambedkar fought for the rights of Dalits. Let alone, working in the papers that 7 out of 10 children same atmosphere with others. reported untouchability. Source:NSSO Discrimination causes 15 per cent lower wages for SC/STs as compared to equally qualified others. According to the 2011 Census of India, they comprise 16.6 per cent of India's population. The unemployment rate among SCs was 1.7 percentage points higher than India’s average. The 2011-12 NSSO survey shows that SCs are employed for a lesser number of days compared with upper castes. Study of 441 farm wage labourers, indicates that about 41 per cent were denied work by the high castes due to caste prejudice. For instance, in the case of the food- related industries, Upper caste people have owned more than 30% of the industries in rural areas and more than 10% in urban areas. SC and ST own nearly 8 % and 11% respectively. Upper caste possess nearly more than 15-20% ownership compared to SC and ST.