Page 59 - Labor

Pondy LG Bedi faults politicians, officials over loss-making

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has blamed lack of government scrutiny and precaution for the losses suffered by public sector undertakings and societies in the union territory. Identifying the reasons for the PSUs's losses after a deep review of sanction of grants to them, she said consequently "loss over loss was glossed over and objections from auditors were not complied with." With the leadership of these undertakings being both "political and bureaucratic both are responsible for the state of affairs over the years," she said in a release here Wednesday. The review revealed that the government had been 'callously' dealing with the release and sanction of grants. She said the files relating to the sanction of grant in aid had not been earlier placed before the office of the Lt Governor. "In the past we have been releasing funds over the years without due precaution and scrutiny... People entered the undertakings for employment for salaries through irregular means .

Hyderabad woman rescued from Kuwait, thanks Swaraj

A woman from Hyderabad who was stranded in Kuwait was rescued by Indian embassy officials after her mother wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.Speaking to ANI, the woman alleged that an agent lured her with the promise of a lucrative job in Kuwait as a beautician. However, she said that she was forced to work as a housemaid and was subject to regular torture by her employees."I was approached by an agent who promised a beautician job in Kuwait at a monthly salary of Rs 20,000 per month. Believing her, I left to Kuwait on April 9 to work there. But after landing there I realised that there was no beautician job but my employer made me work as a housemaid. My employer started harassing and torturing me daily, they also beat me up many times. I was fed up with the harassment and informed the matter to my mother," she said.Subsequently, the victim's mother wrote to Swaraj for assistance, after which Indian Embassy officials brought the woman back to India from ...

Jet Airways delays part payment of employees' August salaries

Jet Airways defaulted on salary payments once again as the airline failed to the pay full salary to their pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) and other senior-level employees for the month of August.A Jet Airways spokesperson said that the airline remitted half of the second instalment of pending emoluments of its pilots, AMEs and senior management for August."The airline has also communicated a revised date of payment to the concerned employees and stands committed to honour its obligations," the airline's spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday."While the management regrets the attendant inconvenience, it also appreciates the continued support and understanding of its employees," the statement read.As per reports, Jet Airways has sought over 10 more days from its employees to pay the balance 25 per cent of their August salaries.On September 11, the airline had paid 50 per cent of August salaries of its employees and the rest was to be paid yesterday, but it could pay

Bedi faults politicians, officials over loss-making PSUs

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi Wednesday blamed lack of government scrutiny and precaution for the losses suffered by public sector undertakings and societies in the union territory. Identifying the reasons for the PSUs's losses after a deep review of sanction of grants to them, she said consequently "loss over loss was glossed over and objections from auditors were not complied with." With the leadership of these undertakings being both "political and bureaucratic both are responsible for the state of affairs over the years," she said in a release here. The review revealed that the government had been 'callously' dealing with the release and sanction of grants. She said the files relating to the sanction of grant in aid had not been earlier placed before the office of the Lt. Governor. "In the past we have been releasing funds over the years without due precaution and scrutiny... People entered the undertakings for employment for salaries through irregular means and

EDMC proposes regularisation of contractual sanitation workers, union says strike on

The BJP-led East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) Wednesday decided to begin the process for permanent employment of contractual sanitation workers who were recruited after March 31, 1998, officials said. The standing committee of the EDMC passed a resolution to this effect, days after a section of sanitation workers of the civic body went on strike demanding regular payment of salaries and regularisation of workers. "It is learned that sanitation workers employed after March 31, 1998 have not been regularised, which is a major reason for them feeling mentally harassed, and it amounts to their exploitation," the resolution said. "This standing committee therefore resolves to begin work on regularisation of sanitation workers hired after March 31, 1998, and that after getting funds from the Delhi government, they be compensated," it said. The president of MCD Swachhata Karmchari Union, Sanjay Gahlot, however, claimed that the EDMC commissioner has said "he will examine the issue, and

Amnesty: Firm by Qatar 2022 World Cup site didn't pay wages

A contractor involved in building infrastructure around the marquee stadium for Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup did not pay its workers, leaving them stranded thousands of miles from home, according to a report released Wednesday. Mercury MENA, an engineering and plumbing firm, owes thousands of dollars of wages to workers from countries where many live on less than $2 a day, Amnesty International said. Those employees helped build projects, including works around Qatar's Lusail Stadium, which will host the opening and closing matches of the soccer tournament. The company, whose website is now down and offices in Doha are shuttered, did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Qatar's government said it was investigating, but similar complaints involving the abuse of foreign workers have been common for years in both Doha and other oil-rich nations of the Persian Gulf. "People from all over the world cheering, laughing, touring some of the beautiful ...

HSCL accuses Trinamool-backed union of causing disruption in operations

Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd (HSCL), a subsidiary of the state-run NBCC (India) Ltd, on Wednesday accused its contractual workers' union, backed by the Trinamool Congress, of creating disruption in company's operations.

Victim of militant trade unionism, claims city-based PSU

A city-based Central PSU claimed Wednesday that one of its senior officials was "gheraoed" while another was threatened with "dire consequences" by trade union members. "Our CFO (Chief Financial Officer) M C Bansal is the victim of act of militant trade unionism. A gherao by the labour union of the senior management since last night with unreasonable demands caused the CFO to fall sick and had to be hospitalized," managing director of Hindustan Steel Works Construction Ltd (HSCL), Neelesh Kr Shah said. HSCL is a subsidiary of National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) India since 2017 after it was transferred from the Union Steel Ministry to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. NBCC now holds 51 per cent stake in HSCL. The agitation is led by HSCL Contract Employees Association and is patronised by the Trinamool Congress, he alleged. "We had complained to the Hastings police station but the police did not take any action until morning after the CFO ...

Now, employers need to file, pay fee for registrations, licences through Shram Suvidha Portal

The labour ministry said Wednesday it is mandatory for employers to file and pay fees for seeking registration and licences under certain laws on Shram Suvidha Portal, a move to improve efficiency in public service delivery system. Taking cognizance of the government's focus towards "Digital India" initiative by ensuring that various government services are made available to citizens electronically and to provide trust-based efficient public service delivery by bringing transparency and accountability in the system, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has begun the process for providing the facilities of registration and licensing mandatorily online on the Shram Suvidha Portal, a ministry statement said. Employers seeking registrations under The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 (37 of 1970), the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 (30 of 1979) and the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of ...

Ilva steel workers won't lose jobs in Arcelor Mittal takeover

Genoa (Italy), Sep 26 (IANS/AKI) No worker at the Ilva steel plant in Genoa in Italy will lose job in the company's takeover this month by steel giant Arcelor Mittal, Italy's Industry and Welfare Minister Luigi Di Maio said.

Maternity leave hike affected women jobs but remedy is there: Labour minister

Women employment in the country has been affected adversely due to the increase in maternity leaves under the new law but steps can be taken to correct that, Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar said Wednesday. When asked if the increase in maternity leaves to 26 weeks from 12 weeks earlier had impacted women employment negatively, the minister replied that it has but there was a remedy for that. "We think that women employment is not increasing due to this reason (Maternity Benefit Act)," the minister told reporters on the sidelines of a FICCI function to give after safety systems awards. Earlier, a report had outlined that the most progressive reforms may make it hard for up to 18 lakh women to find jobs this financial year. The minister, however, noted that there are provisions in the Act like now women can work from home during the leave period and other measures that can help address the issue. "There is a remedy," Gangwar stressed. Only 27 per cent of the total workforce in India is .

EU negotiator seeks orderly Brexit, new partnership respecting UK sovereignty

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday that he was working for a Brexit deal and a future cooperation model with Britain that would respect the UK's sovereignty.

Nearly 20 lakh literate & semi-literate unemployed youths in

Assam government Wednesday said the state has nearly 20 lakh literate and semi-literate unemployed youths, who have registered themselves in the employment exchanges. In written reply to a query by AIUDF MLA Abul Kalam Azad, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Development Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said a total of 19,63,376 persons with educational and semi-educational skills have registered till December 31, 2017. Out of these unemployed youths, 16,65,866 are educated people, the Minister said. The rest 2,97,510 are unskilled, who are not 10th pass and do not have any technical knowledge, he added. Patowary, however, did share any information on how many people have been given employment in the last three financial years saying that the data is sought from various departments. He listed out a serious of programmes initiated by the government to provide skill development trainings to the unemployed youths across the state.

Rahul says millions face unemployment

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Skill India programme by linking it with the Rafale deal, saying that the offset contract was given to a private company with no skills of making aircraft while millions of skilled youths face unemployment.

Hry govt gives nod to regularise services of adhoc employees

The Haryana government has approved a proposal to regularise the services of its employees who are working on adhoc, work-charged and part-time basis for the last 20 to 25 years. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar under the regularisation policies issued in 2003 and 2004, an official statement said here on Wednesday. All the administrative secretaries and heads of departments have been directed to take necessary steps on the decision, it said. "They have also been directed to get posts created from the finance department in diminishing cadre so as to adjust such employees in various departments," the statement said. At the same time, the finance department has also been advised to create posts of diminishing cadre as and when any department, board or corporation submits a case for creation of posts for regularising the services of employees in their departments under regularisation policies of 2003 and 2004, the statement said.

Brazil's jobs crisis lingers, posing challenge for next president

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - After losing his job with a foreign food company in March, Alexander Costa surveyed Brazil's anaemic labour market and decided to start selling cheap lunches by the beach in Rio de Janeiro to try and provide for his young family.

Employees of Royal Enfield, Yamaha at city plant on strike

: Employees of iconic bike manufacturer Royal Enfield and Japan-headquartered Yamaha are on strike, pressing for various demands, including recognition to employees' unions, sources said Tuesday. While workers of Royal Enfield are on a sit-in protest for the second day at the company premises, employees of India Yamaha Motor, subsidiary of Japan-headquartered Yamaha Motor Corp, are on the fifth day of their stir at Oragadam, about 45 kms from Chennai. According to CITU, the employees of India Yamaha Motor are on protest, demanding reinstatement of some of their colleagues who were dismissed and also wage increments. Along with Royal Enfield and India Yamaha Motor, a section of employees belonging to Myoung Shin Automotive India are also on strike, seeking recognition of their union. "Around 750 employees are on protest at the Yamaha factory. Today we staged a protest near the Yamaha's facility, pressing for our demands", CITU sources told PTI. India Yamaha Motor began its

Verizon offers separation plans to thousands of management employees

(Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc said on Tuesday it is offering voluntary separation buyout packages to thousands of management employees in the United States.

Gujarat to bring law to make 80% local hiring must for firms

The Gujarat government would bring a law to made it mandatory for manufacturing and service sector entrepreneurs to hire 80 per cent of their total workforce from the state, said Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday. The proposed law also will make it compulsory for industrialists to recruit 25 per cent of the required manpower from the area where they set up a new unit, he said. The 25 per cent quota will be part of the overall 80 per cent jobs for the residents of Gujarat. Manufacturing as well as service sector entrepreneurs wanting to start their operation in Gujarat must recruit 80 per cent "Gujaratis", he said. Rupani was speaking at a function organised to distribute contract letters to youths under the 'Mukhyamantri Apprenticeship Yojna'. "The state government has taken a decision that any entrepreneur wanting to set up his industrial unit or service sector business in Gujarat must give 80 per cent of their total jobs to Gujaratis. We will bring a law soon in this

Absolute decline in India's employment post 2013: Report

India's structural transformation has been slower than desired resulting in a situation where there has been an absolute decline in employment post-2013, with the rate of unemployment among the youth now at 16 per cent, says a report by one of the country's noted private universities released on Tuesday.