Human resources

The Marriage Penalty

Context: Recently, an investigation highlighted anomalies related to hiring of women employees in Apple iPhone maker Foxconn assembly plant in Tamilnadu. It was alleged that married women’s are being rejected on grounds of pregnancy, family commitment and greater number of leaves.

Though Foxconn came up with the clarification statement in which it highlighted that 25% of its new recruitment comprises women and around women constitute 70% of its total workforce.

However, this news article delves into several factors responsible for low Female LFPR in India.

Labour force Participation rate (LFPR)

The labour force participation rate is the measure to evaluate working-age population in an economy.
Labour force participation rate is defined as the percentage of working population in the age group of 15- 64 in the economy, currently employed or seeking employment.
As per OECD, it is calculated as the labour force divided by the total working-age population.

Status of Female Labour Force Participation Rate

As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2022-23
- LFPR for male in India increased from 75.8% in 2017-18 to 78.5% in 2022-23 and corresponding increase in LFPR for female was from 23.3% to 37.0%.

Now as per the findings of the report FLFPR is rising. However, It is still concerning when we focus on

Gender disparity – Male (78.5%) i.e. more than double of that of Women.
Rural Urban Gap – Higer in rural areas – reflects feminization of agriculture; lower in urban areas – Lack of formal employment opportunities
Comparison with developed economy – Europe and central Asia – 52%; North America – 56% ; East Asia and Pacific – 59%. FLFPR in India is below the global average of 47 percent for several years.

Reasons for low FLFPR in India

Unpaid care work: Women in India often have to bear the burden of unpaid care work, such as taking care of children, elderly family members, and household chores. It is often undervalued and not recognized as work.
Societal norms and cultural expectations: In India, traditional gender division of labour dictate that women should focus on household duties and raising children, while men are the primary breadwinners. Any deviation from such established norms attracts ostracization and marginalization which acts as a demotivation for women to take up formal jobs.
Lack of access to education: Girls are often denied access to education, or they drop out of school early due to poverty or familial responsibilities. This lack of education and skill development limits their employment opportunities and earning potential.
Limited job opportunities: Women often face discrimination in the job market, and there are fewer job opportunities available to them compared to men. For example, in the technology and finance sector.
Safety concerns: Women in India often face safety concerns and harassment at the workplace and also while commuting to and from work. It discourages them from seeking employment outside of the home.
Rising Household Incomes: Rising incomes allows women to escape harsh labour on farms and construction sites and focus on their families.
Lack of Rural connectivity: Lack of transport network to villages may prevent women from taking non-agricultural work in Neighbouring towns. Lack of transport services affects women more than men.
Nuclear families: The growing trend of nuclear families keeping childcare left to women with no support from family elders.
Lack of supportive policies: India lacks supportive policies, such as parental leave, and flexible work arrangements, which can enable women to balance work and family responsibilities.

Government initiatives to Improve Female Work Participation:

For Survival and Education of Females
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme: For creating awareness among the people to educate all girl children in the country. The initiative intends to tackle the issue of the diminishing sex ratio in recent years, raise social awareness, and improve the effectiveness of welfare benefits for girls.
- National Education Policy (NEP), 2020: The policy prioritises gender equity and envisions ensuring equitable access to quality education to all students, with a special emphasis on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).

For Safe and Convenient Accommodation
- Working Women Hostel: One of the main difficulties faced by working women is lack of safe and conveniently located accommodation. The objective of the scheme is to promote availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women, with day care facilities for their children, wherever possible, in urban, semi urban, or even rural areas where employment opportunities for women exist.

For Supporting Women affected by violence
- One Stop Centre (OSC) and Universalization of Women Helpline: To provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence through referral (linking with appropriate authority such as police, One Stop Centre, hospital) and information about women related government schemes programs across the country through a single uniform number. Women Helpline (WHL) will be integrated with One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC) under which one OSC shall be established in every State/UT to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof.

Codification of the Labour Laws for harmonizing the needs of job seekers, workers and employers
- Labour Codes: The four Labour Codes namely, the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. Codification of the Labour Laws provides a policy framework for harmonizing the needs of job seekers, workers and employers.
- The Labour Codes will, inter-alia, reduce multiplicity of definitions & authorities, facilitate implementation and use of technology in enforcement of labour laws and bring transparency and accountability in enforcement, promote setting up of more enterprises, catalyzing the creation of employment opportunities in the country.

Equal Opportunity and Congenial Work Environment
- Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: The Act increased the paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, also made a provision for mandatory crèche facility in establishments having 50 or more employees, permitting women workers in the night shifts with adequate safety measures, etc.
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013: To provide protection against sexual harassment of women at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Promoting Entrepreneurship
- Female Entrepreneurship: To promote female entrepreneurship, the Government has initiated schemes like MUDRA, Stand Up India and Mahila e-Haat.
- Rashtriya Mahila Kosh: Provides micro-credit at concessional terms to poor women for various livelihood and income generating activities.
- Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): Under the scheme, women entrepreneurs are provided 25 per cent and 35 per cent subsidies for the project set up in urban and rural areas respectively.

Measures to improve Female Work Participation:

Need of National Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act (WUEGA): Women should form at least 50% of the programme management staff, with a vision for decentralized management and local community involvement. Includes provisions for childcare at work sites, free public transportation for women, and work availability within a 5-km radius.
Ensure high participation of women in MGNREGS: Recommendations given by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj: Government must take measures for better promotion of “women-centric works” through creation or linking of existing livelihood projects under the scheme. Ministry of Rural Development needs to bridge the wage disparity among states by notifying a uniform wage rate structure.
Identification of niche sectors: There is need for identification of niche sectors like countries like the United States initiative like Girls Who Code in the USA aim to close the gender gap in technology, Japan and Italy are focusing on the healthcare and social work sectors as areas of potential job growth for women.
Accounting for care work: There is a need to capture the value of care in the GDP calculation. Flexible Work Options as like Netherlands: Promote work models like part-time work, remote work, and parental leave policies, empowers women to manage work-life balance effectively.
Invest in a wide range of care infrastructure and services solutions: Covering not only childcare, but also elder care, domestic work, and long-term care for highly dependent adults to reduce dependency and access the silver economy. For instance, Japan has leveraged some private sector partnerships for investments in affordable senior living and care services. As the share of elderly persons in India’s population is expected to rise from 10 per cent currently to 20 per cent by 2050, India, too will need to prioritise elder care infrastructure and service investments.

Japan’s ‘womenomics’

Japan was grappling with falling fertility rates, a declining population, and stagnant growth, a series of reforms on “womenomics” were introduced as part of the “Abenomics” era.
Women’s labour force participation rate (WLFPR) in Japan has grown by ten percentage points, from 64.9 percent in 2013 to 75.2 per cent in 2023.
Majority of the “womenomics” reforms have been linked to investments in the care economy and rebalancing gender norms.

Issues of Indian Migrant workers in Gulf Countries

Context: About 49 Indian migrant workers died in a fire in a six-storey building in Kuwait where they lived. This accident has again brought attention to the deplorable living condition and lack of safety of Indian migrant workers in destination countries.

Kerala Migration Survey 2023 estimates that 2.2 million people from the state have migrated with 80% of them residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Benefits of migrant workers

Migrants workers are a large source of foreign remittances contributing more than $100 bn to Indian economy every year.
Migrants’ workers experience social mobility and the contributions they send allow their families to live a life of dignity.
Migrant workers allow India to harness its demographic dividend and leads to address the issue of unemployment of large youth population in India.
Migration allows India workers to get higher wages as compared to what they get when they can garner in India leading to higher productivity.
The advanced skills that migrant workers learn in while working abroad also come to India when they come back leading to increased productivity in India as well.
International allows India to emerge as the important source of human capital for the world, particularly for countries undergoing rapid ageing. This will increase India's strategic, soft and hard power at the world level.

Reasons for Vulnerability of Migrant Workers in Gulf Countries

Lack of data on migrants - both at their origin and destination countries especially for those employed in the low-skill, low-paying job profiles leading to grave invisibilisation of the migrants.
Majority of the migrant workers work in the un-organised sector such as construction sites and factories often facing dangerous working conditions.
Migrants in Gulf countries do not have option of permanent residency, they are not given adequately protected and have few rights leading to exploitation of migrant workers in these countries
Live in dingy living spaces and cramped dormitories
Lack of any social security for the migrant community.
Migrant workers employed in low end jobs lack savings, have limited resources and lack any social connections of family and friends accentuating their vulnerability.
Often there are complaints of employers in foreign countries capture the passports of migrant workers.
Lack of regulation of agencies involved in the supply chain of migration of workers to gulf countries.
Enacting the revamped Emigration Act, 1983 on the lines of draft Emigration Bill, 2021 to modernise the foreign migration ecosystem of India.

Way Forward

There is a need for study the conditions of Indian migrant workers in India and their destination country and establish a national level database to understand the various sections from India. Thus, a survey like the Kerala Migration Survey should be done on a national level.
India should enter into bilateral social security agreements with the major destination countries migrant workers from India, this will ensure adequate social security and dignified life for Indian migrant workers.
Indian embassies in major destination countries should actively try to map and educate the Indian migrant workers particularly those employed in low end jobs.
Mapping of skills and demand for various skills and train Indian workforce in those skills.

Low Glycaemic Index and Glycaemic Load Diets

Context: A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology provides strong evidence linking high glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) diets to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The study, conducted across five continents, suggests that consuming low GI and GL diets may help prevent diabetes, especially among individuals with a higher BMI. The findings highlight the importance of nutritious food choices in diabetes prevention.

Glycaemic Index (GI)

GI is a measure of how quickly a food can raise blood sugar levels. It ranks carbohydrate-containing foods on a scale from 0 to 100 based on their effect on blood glucose levels after consumption.
Factors influencing GI: The GI of a food depends on several factors, such as the type of carbohydrate, the amount of fiber, and the processing and cooking methods used.
A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology showed a clear link between high GI and diabetes, particularly among individuals with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI).

Glycaemic Load (GL)

GL is a measure that takes into account both the GI of a food and the amount of carbohydrates in a serving. It is calculated by multiplying the GI of a food by the amount of carbohydrates in a serving and then dividing by 100.
GL provides the impact of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels, which help inform dietary guidelines and public health interventions.
It is particularly useful for diabetics as it can provide a more accurate idea of how much a food will affect blood sugar levels compared to GI.
Comparison with GI: While GI focuses on the quality of carbohydrates, GL considers both the quality and quantity of carbohydrates consumed. GL may be a better predictor of blood sugar response than GI alone.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. It is often associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes is a major public health concern in India, with an estimated 11.4% of the country's population - living with diabetes.
Additionally, 15.3% of the people - could be living with pre-diabetes.
The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in the 20s and 30s has dramatically increased in the last two decades, particularly in India.
Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision problems, highlighting the importance of early detection and proper management.

Key Findings of the Study

High GI and GL diets are associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
- The international study, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, found a clear link between high GI and diabetes across five continents, involving 1,27,594 adults aged 35-70 years without known diabetes.
- Participants in the highest quintile of GL had a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes compared to those in the lowest quintile, suggesting that both the quality and quantity of carbohydrates play a role in diabetes risk.
GI's association with diabetes is stronger among individuals with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI).
- The study found that the association between GI and diabetes was more pronounced in individuals with a higher BMI, highlighting the importance of considering individual factors when assessing the impact of GI on diabetes risk.
- This finding suggests that people with a higher BMI may be more sensitive to the effects of high GI foods on blood sugar levels and diabetes risk.

Implications for Public Health and Policy

Promoting low GI and GL diets could be an effective strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes.
- The study's findings support the idea that consuming low GI and GL diets might help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, especially in high-risk individuals.
- Examples of low GI foods include fruits, grains, lentils, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, dairy, and brown rice, while high GI foods to avoid include sugar, sugary drinks, white polished rice, potatoes, and white bread.
Targeted interventions for high-risk groups could help reduce the burden of diabetes.
- The study suggests that better and more nutritious food choices can help delay the onset of diabetes in high-risk groups, such as those with high BMI and a family history of diabetes.
- Public health policies and interventions could focus on promoting healthy eating habits and increasing access to low GI and GL foods, particularly in communities with a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes.
Integration of GI and GL into dietary guidelines and nutrition labeling.
- The findings of the study support the inclusion of GI and GL information in dietary guidelines and nutrition labeling to help consumers make informed food choices.
- Governments and public health agencies could consider mandating the inclusion of GI and GL values on food labels, similar to the existing requirements for calories, fat, and sugar content.

Relevance to the Indian Context

High burden of type 2 diabetes in India.
- India has the second-highest number of people with diabetes in the world.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has projected that the number of people with diabetes in India will reach 134.2 million by 2045, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and management strategies.
Potential impact of promoting low GI and GL diets in India.
- Given the high prevalence of diabetes and the increasing trend of obesity in India, promoting low GI and GL diets could be an important strategy for reducing the burden of type 2 diabetes in the country.
- Studies have shown that traditional Indian diets, which often include high GI foods like white rice and refined grains, may contribute to the high rates of diabetes in the population
- Encouraging the consumption of low GI foods, such as whole grains, legumes, and vegetables, could help improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of diabetes in the Indian population.
Challenges and opportunities for implementing GI and GL-based interventions in India.
- Implementing GI and GL-based interventions in India may face challenges, such as limited awareness about the concept among the general population and healthcare providers, and the need for culturally appropriate dietary modifications.
- However, there are opportunities for integrating GI and GL into existing public health programs, such as the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme for school children, which has been renamed as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana (PM-POSHAN).
- Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community organizations could help promote the adoption of low GI and GL diets and improve diabetes prevention and management efforts in India.

There is urgent need for effective strategies to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes in the country. Promoting low GI and GL diets, targeting high-risk groups, integrating GI and GL into dietary guidelines and public health programs, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders could play a crucial role in reducing the burden of diabetes in India.

As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, it is essential for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to prioritize the adoption of healthy dietary patterns and lifestyle modifications to combat this growing public health challenge.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Reports: HDI & GII

Context: India has moved up a rank on the global Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Inequality Index (GII) of 2023-24, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report.

Key finding of the reports:

Human Development Index (HDI) 2023-24
- India’s ranking on the HDI improved by one position in 2022 to 134 out of 193 countries ranked compared to 135 out of 191 countries in 2021.
- In 2022, India saw improvements across all HDI indicators: life expectancy, education, and gross national income (GNI) per capita.
- Life expectancy rose from 67.2 to 67.7 years, expected years of schooling reached 12.6, mean years of schooling increased to 6.57 and GNI per capita saw an increase from USD 6,542 to USD 6,951.
- With an HDI value of 0.644, the latest HDR places India in the medium human development category.
- Performance of other countries: Switzerland (1), Sri Lanka (78), China (75), Bhutan (125),Bangladesh, (129), Nepal (146) and Pakistan (164) have been ranked lower than India.
Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2023-24
- India has been ranked at 108 out of 193 countries with a score of 0.437.
- Its rank was 122 out of 191 countries with a score of 0.490 in the GII-2021.
- India has one of the largest gender gaps in its labour force participation rate a 47.8 per cent difference between women (28.3 per cent) and men (76.1 per cent).
- The GII measures gender inequalities in three key dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and labour market.
- India’s adolescent birth rate in 2022 was 16.3 (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19), an improvement from 17.1 in 2021.
- India’s rank in the GII has become consistently better, indicating progressive improvement in achieving gender equality in the country.

About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):

It is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.
It helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP has its headquarters in New York City.
It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from member nations.
Their work is concentrated on three main focus areas:
- Sustainable development
- Democratic governance and peacebuilding
- Climate and disaster resilience
Reports published by UNDP:
- Global Multi-dimensional Poverty Index
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- Human Development Index (HDI)

Waste Pickers

Context: On March 1, International Waste Pickers Day, waste pickers across the world will pay homage to fellow pickers who were murdered in Colombia in 1992.

About waste pickers

According to the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016: “informal waste collectors” includes individuals, associations or waste-traders who are involved in sorting, sale and purchase of recyclable materials.
SWM 2016 define a “waste picker” as a person informally engaged in the collection and recovery of reusable and recyclable solid waste from the source of waste generation to sale of waste to recyclers directly or through intermediaries.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 indicates that there are nearly 1.5 million waste pickers within India’s urban workforce, with half a million being women.
It is estimated that India generates 65 million tonnes of waste each year.
On average, an individual waste picker collects between 60 kg to 90kg of waste a day in an eight to 10 hour span of time.
High-Power Committee on Solid Waste Management by the Planning Commission, 1995 called for integration of rag-pickers into the formal system.
Solid Waste Management Rules and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, recognise the contribution of rag-pickers and hold that they be included in the solid waste management of local bodies.

Challenges faced by waste pickers in India

Exposed to occupational hazards: They are potentially exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards like gastrointestinal ailments, dermatological and respiratory issues, as community waste bins and dumpsites act as breeding grounds for various bacterial and viral diseases.
Least rewarding job: It is widely recognised that the informal sector engaged in waste collection and sorting carries out the most labour-intensive and least rewarding job of recovering recyclable materials from unsegregated waste.
Socially existential precarity: They are treated as dirty and unwanted elements of society, and they have to deal with exploitative social behaviour.
Lack access to sanitary and healthcare facilities: While the wages and living conditions of different strata of informal waste-workers differ greatly, a majority of them (street waste-pickers) work and live in hazardous conditions. They typically lack access to sanitary and healthcare facilities.
Exclude from social security schemes: They are not covered under any labour legislation. As a result, they do not benefit from social security and medical insurance schemes. They have not been included in any disaster management plan of the administration, leaves them without support during any emergency situation.
Lack of centralised data: Has hindered the development of programs and policies to support Safai Saathis.
Poor access to financing: Out of the total Safai Saathis, surveyed, who had a bank account, only 20% were linked to the Jan Dhan Yojana.
Obstructions in Formalisation: More than 90% of the workers reported owning an Aadhaar card - in line with broad national trends, but only a tiny subset owned an income, caste, or occupation certificate. This thwarts any attempts at formalising their work and limits their access to government social security schemes.

Way forward

Comprehensive laws: There is lack of clear and comprehensive laws and policies to protect the rights of waste-pickers in India. There is an urgent need to frame and implement a uniform waste-picker welfare law that recognises and integrates them into the waste management chain.
- The law must include basic provisions related to mandatory identity cards; access to waste for collection, segregation, and sorting; PPE to minimise occupational hazards; right to basic necessities like water, sanitation and facilities for clean living; and health insurance.
Exploring alternatives and skill enhancement: Exploring technology-led circular economy models to eliminate hazardous manual work.
Formalisation of waste pickers: Allowing them access to designated collection and compaction stations such as transfer stations and material recovery facilities within a city for sorting recyclables.
- Registering Safai Saathis with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Issue ID cards to them as municipal workers.
Addressing social and economic upliftment: Ensuring access to subsidized food grains through initiatives like One Nation One Ration Card scheme. Focus on building resilience, expanding social protection, and creating opportunities for dignified livelihoods.

Pune's SWaCH Model: Empowering Women Through Waste Management

The SWaCH model, a collaboration between Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP), employs over 3,000 women who collect household waste for a fee. They sort the waste and dispose of non-recyclables at city-run feeder points. KKPKP, formed in 1993, now boasts over 9,000 members, 80% of whom are marginalized women. This initiative not only provides economic opportunities but also offers benefits such as interest-free loans and educational support. PMC ensures worker safety by providing necessary gear and equipment. SWaCH stands as a prime example of transparency, accountability, efficiency, citizen engagement, and women empowerment through direct user fees.

Risking life for a living - Jobs In ISRAEL

Context: The government of India signed an agreement with Government of Israel for 10,000 temporary jobs on offer in Israel’s construction. Now this news article delves upon the outgoing debates related to the issue of migration of workers in war-affected Israel.

Background

In November 2023, a little less than a month after Israel began attacks on Gaza, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed a three-year agreement with the Israeli government on the ‘Facilitation of the Temporary Employment of Indian Workers in Specific Labour Market Sectors (Construction and Caregiving) in the State of Israel’.
In December, after a meeting between the Indian government agency National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Israeli government agency Population, Immigration and Border Authority (PIBA), the U.P. government put out advertisements for the 10,000 jobs in Israel.

Jobs on offer

3,000 positions for a shuttering carpenter; 3,000 for iron bending; 2,000 for ceramic tiling; 2,000 for plastering
Salary and age eligibility - approximately between ₹1,36,000 and ₹1,37,000 per month, for Indian citizens between 21 and 45 years.

Agencies

NSDC is facilitating recruitment, primarily in the U.P. and Haryana.
Officials from NSDC are managing the logistics, while representatives from PIBA conduct tests.
Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Lucknow is designated as the nodal centre for conducting the skill screening test in U.P.

High number of Applicants

Most of the applicants belong to the bottom of the social and economic pyramid; for ex - Dalits, marginal farmers and Economic weaker sections.
High salary on offer seems to be lucrative as they hardly manage to get Rs 8000-10000 per month here in India.

Concerns

Trade Unions and Activists are criticizing the Idea of the Government to willfully send its citizens to war zones.
There are concerns about their safety and security as around 100 foreign workers have already lost their lives in Israel.
Activists also argue that foreign workers are mistreated and cost of living in Israel is three times higher than that of India. So, they suggest to analyse these facts before making any decision.

Larger Issues

Sending workers in war zone explodes our claims to provide meaningful employment at home.
Events like these also highlight huge wage differences in countries like India and developed countries like Israel.

Government's Stand

The NSDC brochure assures candidates they will be employed by a company in Israel.
NSDC says that “Strict measures are in place to safeguard residents and employees during periods of heightened tension.”
Further, they substantiate their argument with the fact that, out of 18,000 Indian citizens in Israel, only 1300 opted to return to India when conflict broke out.

Way Ahead

Considering high living cost and safety negotiating proper wages along with ensuring security should be short-term plan.
While in long run GOI should work on creating meaningful jobs at home with justifiable levels of wages for the workers.

Guaranteed pension is not bad economics

Context: Debate between old and new pension can be resolved with a new innovative product known as Contributory Guaranteed Pension Scheme.

Lifelong pension is not a good idea

Firstly, since the State has to bear full burden of pensions, it will become fiscally unsustainable in the medium to long run.
Second, such an unsustainable rise in pension allocation would reduce the welfare expenditures allocated to the poor and marginalised sections.
Under Old Pension Scheme, therefore is a case of elite workers gaining at the cost of their brethren lower on the income ladder.
There is an inherent biasness between private sector employees and public sector employees.

Solution lies in the Contributory Guaranteed Pension Scheme (CGPS)

Under this employees continue contributing 10% of their basic pay monthly as they do now under the NPS but the State promises to pay a pension of 50% of the last drawn salary which is adjusted for inflation, exactly as the OPS would have. The critical difference between the OPS and the CGPS is that a large part of the latter will be funded by the employees themselves as against no contribution in the former. And the State pays an additional balance of the difference between the 50% guaranteed pension and the market determined pension amount.

The upside is that if the market return happens to be higher than this, the State gets to pocket that. It may well be that on balance (with State gaining when returns are higher as against it paying the difference when they are lower), the additional burden on the CGPS (compared to the NPS) may be marginal.

Centre weighs methods to quantify household chores done by women

Context: The Indian government is considering methods to measure the value of women's household chores to the country's GDP.

Gender Gap (GDP) in India

India is exploring methods to measure the contribution of household chores performed by women to the country's GDP.
The government plans to make the Time Use Survey a regular feature to understand how much time women spend on household work. Other methods, such as the diary method and direct observation method, are also being considered.
The government may develop a methodology to quantify household work and its contribution to the GDP.
Women in India spend more time on unpaid domestic services for household members than men.
The Time Use Survey provides a framework for measuring time dispositions by the population on different activities.
Experts are skeptical about including personal consumption activities in the GDP and how household chores would add to India's GDP.

Measuring the contribution of household chores performed by women can bring about several benefits to both the economy and women in particular.

Recognition of the economic contribution of women: Measuring household work can recognize women's significant contribution to the economy, highlighting the economic value of unpaid domestic services and their role in the country's economy.
Better policy formulation: Data on women's household work time can inform policymaking, leading to more targeted policies for women and their families, in areas such as health, education, and employment.
Improved economic planning: The measurement of household work can help in improved economic planning and decision-making. This can provide policymakers with a more complete picture of the economy and help them make more informed decisions.
Empowerment of women: Measuring household chores as part of GDP can empower women by recognizing their work as valuable economic activity, leading to increased labor force participation, better wages, and working conditions.

The measurement of household chores performed by women can help in recognizing the value of women's unpaid work and enable policymakers to design more targeted policies for women's economic empowerment.