Page 5 - Labor
Gopal Rai inspects GTB Hospital
Delhi Labour Minister Gopal Rai Monday inspected state-owned GTB Hospital and directed authorities to ensure contractual employees get notified minimum wages. The minister also directed the hospital management to re-instate the services of sacked contractual employees, an official said. The labour minister asked officers concerned to clear the files pertaining to minimum wages of such employees within three days, he added. Last week, Rai had inspected LNJP Hospital and had been told that contractual employees there have not received salaries for three months. The direction came days after the Arvind Kejriwal-government decided that cabinet ministers would be on the ground from June 3 to know the problems of people and find viable solutions for them.
Head of UN labour agency backs anti-harassment measures
The head of the International Labour Organization on Monday urged the agency to approve new rules to stop violence and harassment in the workplace, despite some concerns from employer representatives. ILO director general Guy Ryder made the call as he opened a congress marking the United Nations labour body's 100th anniversary. Following the #MeToo movement, ILO delegates are negotiating a convention with enhanced worker protection that would, once ratified by member-states, be legally binding. "By adopting new international labour standards to stop violence and harassment at work, this conference will ... strike a blow against abuse which should offend the basic standards of decency of each and every one of us," Ryder told the congress. "We must do this," he added. The ILO's work is often complicated by its tripartite structure that includes government officials, union leaders and private sector employer representatives. It is a unique set-up among UN agencies, which normally offer ..
Vision document soon for rural employment generation: Sarangi
A vision document will be prepared soon for mass employment generation by tapping the potentials available in rural areas, Union minister Pratap Sarangi said here on Sunday. "We have abundant opportunities for job creation. A casual approach and lack of proper motivation and training for rural manpower failed to yield tangible result," Sarangi said. The BJP leader was accorded a rousing welcome during his first visit to Balasore, his constituency, after taking over as Union minister of state for MSME and animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries. He said animal husbandry and fish farming, both inland and marine, can be taken up in a big way as Odisha has a long coastal line. Rural youth and women can be engaged in these activities after giving them proper training, he said. "We have to coordinate a number of activities properly and sincerely. Accountability has to fixed and timely review is necessary to ensure proper implementation," he said. Similarly, there is ample ...
Govt to move full steam ahead on labour reforms with new Bill
In what could be a significant improvement over existing wage rules, the government is likely to extend the applicability of the Minimum Wages Act to all forms of employment and workers in both the organised and the unorganised sectors.
Clearance of snow in full swing ahead of Amarnath Yatra
With Amarnath Yatra slated to begin from July 1, the snow clearing operation on the tracks is in full swing with 800 labourers deployed to clear the almost 32-Km route from Chandanwari to the holy cave.The Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) is working with Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to clear the tracks off the snow and boulders, from both Baltal and Pahalgam side."This gives us employment. Our work is to remove stones that are obstructing the way leading to the holy cave of Amarnath," said Fayaz Shah, a labourer."We are working since last 15 days, we have no other employment and this provides us with our daily bread," said Junaid Ahmad, another labourer involved in snow-clearance work.Officials are hopeful that the track will be ready before the commencement of the Yatra."About 800 labours are deployed in the 32 Kilometers stretch for clearing the path from Chandanwari upto the holy cave. 40 avalanches have devastated it. The way upto the first base camp at Anantnag is ...
Hope Mamata attends NITI Aayog event: Rajiv Kumar
A day after Mamata Banerjee refused to attend the governing council meeting, NITI Aayog Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Saturday expressed hope that the West Bengal Chief Minister chief will take part in the upcoming event.In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee rejected the invitation saying that NITI Aayog has no financial powers to support the state-run schemes and it is fruitless for her to attend the meeting."We have invited her (WB CM) with all due respect and I am still hoping very much that she will accept my personal invitation and attend the governing council meeting on 15th and give us ideas as to how to improve NITI Aayog further," he said.The NITI Aayog has called a meeting of its Governing Council on June 15. Invitations to the various heads of the state have been sent out by the CEO of NITI Aayog in the regard.Commenting on the upsurge in the unemployment rate in 2018, Kumar assured that the Aayog is making "best efforts" to reverse the situation."Employment is ...
Fourth Saturday holiday for Karnataka staff from next year
About 6 lakh government employees across Karnataka would have holiday on fourth Saturday of every month from 2020, an official said on Friday.
In TN, shops can be open 24 hours a day
The Tamil Nadu government has allowed shops with a minimum of 10 employees to be open 24 hours all days in a year, subject to certain conditions. A government order was issued recently.
Gopal Rai orders reinstatement of contractual employees at GB Pant Hospital
Delhi Labour Minister Gopal Rai Thursday inspected GB Pant Hospital and ordered registration of an FIR against an agency which allegedly terminated the services of contractual employees, a government statement said. The statement added that the minister has directed for the reinstatement of the employees. Rai was accompanied by senior officers of the labour department during the inspection. On Tuesday, Rai had inspected LNJP Hospital and was told that contractual employees there have not received salaries for three months. He had directed officers to clear the salaries within three days and warned them of strict action if they fail to comply. Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam visited the south Delhi branch of his department to check the proper functioning of various services there.
Shops, commercial establishments in TN to remain open 24x7
Shops and commercial establishments in Tamil Nadu will now operate 24 hours on all seven days with the state goverment issuing an order to the effect Thursday. The order, pegged for a three-year period, is expected to give a boost to the traders community. The government order (GO) also lays emphasis on safety of women employed in these units. According to the GO, every employee shall be given a weekly holiday on rotation basis while the respective employer exhibits details of the employees who are on leave. The order also warned of action against those employers who make employees work after their duty hours. For women employees, it said they would not be required to work beyond 8 pm on any day "in normal circumstances." However, the employer can allow her to work between 8 pm and 6 am after obtaining a "written consent" from the woman staff. Transport arrangements shall be provided to women employees who work on shift basis and a notice shall be exhibited at the main ...
Punjab cabinet restructures employment generation dept
The Punjab cabinet Thursday approved the restructuring of the department of employment generation and training by bringing the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) under it. The move aimed at improving the employability of the youth in the state. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday, an official release said. "Since skill development and training are necessary to enhance the employability of the youth, it was felt that the Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Mission and the Punjab Skill Development Mission, which are currently functioning under two different departments, should be brought under one department," an official spokesman said in the release. The task of skill development has now been assigned to the department of employment generation and training. Earlier, it was being looked after by the department of technical education and industrial training. This would bring synergy, oversight and effective coordination in the ...
Unions hit out at Ford plan to close Wales plant in 2020
US automaker Ford will close its engine plant in south Wales next year, threatening more than 1,500 jobs, in a "grotesque act of economic betrayal", British unions said on Thursday. The plan to close the plant in September 2020 is to be confirmed at a meeting Thursday between company officials and union leaders, according to reports. An official announcement from Ford was expected later in the day. "Ford's decision to shut its Bridgend engine plant in 2020 is a grotesque act of economic betrayal," Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite union, said in a statement. "We will resist this closure with all our might, and call upon the governments at the Welsh Assembly and Westminster to join us to save this plant, and to prevent yet another grave injury to UK manufacturing." The news is the latest blow to British car-making amid heightened uncertainty over Brexit and as the industry worldwide faces up to huge challenges, including the switch to electric vehicles. Honda has announced
Japan says high heels for women at work 'occupationally necessary'
A Japanese minister on Wednesday sparked controversy with his statement that it is "socially accepted" to force women to wear high heels at workplaces. For many years now Japanese offices required women to wear high heels.The remark came when Takumi Nemoto, the Health, Labor and Welfare Minister of Japan, was asked to comment on a #KuToo petition filed by a group of women who urged the government to ban workplaces from requiring female job seekers and employees to wear high heels, CNN reported."It is socially accepted as something that falls within the realm of being occupationally necessary and appropriate," the Japanese health minister added."Whether the employers' requirement to wear high heels is an abuse of power or not depends on whether the requirement goes beyond the social understanding of what is necessary and appropriate," he was quoted as saying.Till June 4, more than 19,000 people in Japan had signed a petition, submitted to the Labour Ministry on Tuesday, banning office
Four health officials suspended for absence from duty in J-K's Rajouri
Four officials of the health department were suspended on Thursday after they were found absent from duty in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said. Kandi Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr Iqbal Malik conducted surprise visit at various health centres and found the Prorri sub-centre locked at about 11.20 am, they said. The villagers and panchayat members told the BMO that the health centre often remains closed. Taking strong notice of it, the BMO placed all four employees under suspension. The suspended employees were identified as Mohd Aslam (pharmacist), Zareena Begum and Shaine Akhter (both female multipurpose workers), and Mohd Bashir. Rajouri Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Sunil Sharma said the state administration has adopted a "zero tolerance" policy towards dereliction of duties by government employees. He directed the employees to perform their duties regularly and ensure prompt services to the general public.
Ford to close Wales plant in Sept 2020
US automaker Ford is preparing to close its engine plant in south Wales in September 2020 in a "hammer blow" to more than 1,500 workers there, Britain's GMB union said on Thursday. The move was to be confirmed at a meeting Thursday between company officials and union leaders, with a formal announcement from Ford expected later in the day, according to media reports. "We're hugely shocked by today's announcement, it's a real hammer blow for the Welsh economy and the community in Bridgend," GMB regional organiser Jeff Beck said in a statement. "Regardless of today's announcement GMB will continue to work with Ford, our sister unions and the Welsh government to find a solution to the issue and mitigate the effects of this devastating news." Workers were being given the news at briefings inside the plant and are then expected to leave for the day. Ford has operated the plant in Bridgend, just west of the Welsh capital Cardiff, for decades and it remains one of the region's major ...
Mayawati expresses concern over high unemployment rate
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati Thursday expressed concern over the high unemployment rate in the country. In a statement issued here, she said, "The Union Labour Ministry, in its data released after the Lok Sabha election, has confirmed that joblessness in the country was 6.1 per cent of total labour force, highest in the last 45 years. For the victims of poverty and unemployment, there is no point of regretting now." She also said the dip in growth rate "is result of fall in agricultural and industrial output". "The point of concern is that how true welfare will be done for the poor people of the country," Mayawati said. On May 31, the government confirmed the unemployment rate projected in a pre-election leaked report and said joblessness in the country was 6.1 per cent of total labour force during 2017-18, the highest in 45 years. The data released by the Labour Ministry on a day when Modi 2.0 Cabinet took charge, showed 7.8 per cent of all employable urban youths being
Mayawati tears into Centre over unemployment rate
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Thursday hit out at the Centre expressing dissatisfaction over the increasing unemployment rate in the country that has risen to a record 6.1 per cent, highest in last 45 years.As Modi government enters its second consecutive term, unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges in the country.Mayawati's Hindi tweet roughly translates to, "Just after the Lok Sabha elections, Labour Ministry released data confirming the bad news that the rate of unemployment in the country has gone up to 6.1 per cent, highest in the last 45 years. But there is no need for victims of poverty and unemployment to feel any remorse as the time has now passed and it is too late (to choose the government). It is no use crying over spilt milk."BSP's supremo response comes after the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation released employment data, projecting the unemployment rate at 6.1 per cent in 2017-18. Notably, joblessness among the educated urban .
Sanders confronts Walmart, says it's paying 'starvation wages'
Liberal 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders confronted the world's biggest retailer on Wednesday, entering Walmart's shareholder meeting and accusing top executives of paying "starvation wages" to company employees. The popular independent senator travelled to Arkansas and attended Walmart's shareholder gathering, where he called on Walmart to reserve a seat on its board for at least one of the company's 1.5 million employees. Sanders, speaking at the meeting on behalf of a Walmart employee, read out parts of a resolution which also demands that the company raise its minimum wage to USD 15 an hour from the current USD 11. With top Walmart executives like board of directors chairman Greg Penner in the room, Sanders described Walmart's owners, the Walton family, as the wealthiest in America, worth some USD 175 billion. "And yet despite the incredible wealth of its owner, Walmart pays many of its employees starvation wages -- wages that are so low that many of these employees are .
Production resumes at world's biggest Nutella plant
Workers at the world's biggest Nutella factory have removed picket lines and are back at work after production was brought to a near standstill for more than a week over a dispute on salaries. Ferrero, the owner of the hugely popular hazelnut and chocolate spread, said Wednesday that access to the factory was reopened overnight and that "normal activity" had resumed at the site. Though exact details of why the blockade had been halted, the company praised the "positive outcome" that has allowed employees to resume their work "calmly." Activists from Workers' Force at the factory in Villers-Ecalles in Normandy had barred trucks from entering or leaving the factory for more than a week. Spokeswoman Prescillia Bourguignon said management had made "positive progress," adding that more negotiations would take place. According to the union, the 160 of the factory's 350 workers who took part in the walkout demanded a 4.5% salary increase, one-time 900-euro ($1,000) bonuses and better working
US private-sector hiring hits 9-year low in May: ADP
US hiring crashed unexpectedly last month, hitting its lowest level in nearly a decade as small businesses and construction companies shed workers, according to payroll data released Wednesday. The sudden drop in hiring left forecasts in tatters and suggested Friday's highly anticipated federal jobs report for May could also come in well below expectations -- although the two are frequently out of step. The private sector hired just 27,000 new positions, after the huge 271,000 gain recorded in April, payrolls firm ADP reported. That made hiring the lowest since March 2010 and well below the 170,000 increase economists forecast. The ADP data showed employment at small business -- especially construction -- dropped sharply, as they struggled to find workers in a very tight jobs market. "Following an overly strong April, May marked the smallest gain since the expansion began," Ahu Yildirmaz, co-head of the ADP Research Institute, said in a statement. "Large companies continue to remain ..
