[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 1 May 2023

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: International Relations

Source: TOI

 Context: 19 nations including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain, and Iran have expressed interest in joining the emerging-markets bloc of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

About BRICS:

Importance of BRICS for India:

Challenges for BRICS:

Way forward for BRICS:.

Conclusion:

BRICS faces several challenges such as internal differences, global economic slowdown, and geopolitical tensions. However, the group can remain relevant by expanding its agenda to promote comprehensive development and enhanced cooperation among all states. BRICS should also focus on the democratization of international issues, respect for cultural diversity, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Mains Links

Discuss the importance of BRICS for India. (250 Words)

Prelims Links

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Manufacturing sector

Source: PIB, UNIDO

 Context: The Department of Science and Technology in India has released the “National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22: Summary for Policymakers” to enhance the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing and increase its share in the GDP.

About NMIS:

Major Findings of the NMIS Survey 2021-22:

Recommendations of the Survey:

Mains Links

Q.1 “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far are the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? ( UPSC 2017)

Q.2 Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis the industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? (UPSC 2014)

Prelims Links:

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation

Source: TH

 Context: May 1 is widely known as Labour Day/International Worker’s Day – a day to celebrate the contribution of workers worldwide.

Background:

• The origin of Labour Day dates back to the 19th century – when a nationwide strike of 1886 for an eight-hour workday culminated in a violent movement in Chicago, US.
• In 1889, the International Socialist Conference declared May 1 would be an international holiday for labour/May Day/Labour Day/Workers Day.
• In India, the first Labour Day (initiated by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan) was celebrated on May 1, 1923, in Madras.

The primary objective of Labour Day:

• To acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the working class,
• Create awareness about their rights, and
• Protect them from exploitation.

Current trends in the labour market worldwide: Three years after the COVID-19,

• Small and micro-enterprises/people have been hard hit by inflation
• Lack of opportunities
• Real wages have fallen, and poverty inequality is rising

Indian labour market – Major issues:

• Surplus labour force: Without the commensurate rise in job opportunities in the labour market.
• Unskilled labour force: Leading to a rise in indecent/poor quality jobs like manual scavenging, etc.
  • For example, 8 people died in Gujarat (in April 2023) while cleaning sewers, despite the practice being declared illegal across the country.
• Low absorption of skilled labour
• Labour market imperfections: Such as lack of adequate information regarding jobs, numerous labour laws, etc.
• The workers in the unorganised sector: Constitute about 93% of the total workforce in the country → not covered under social security measures → most affected during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Unemployment: Causing problems like disguised unemployment, seasonal unemployment, open unemployment and educated unemployment.
• Son of the soil doctrine: For example, Haryana enacted a new law reserving 75% of private sector jobs with monthly salaries up to ₹30,000 for locals.

How to prioritise social justice for a sustainable and stable future?

• Policies and actions must be human-centred.
• Focusing on ‘decent work’: The most effective way to reduce inequality, and poverty and ensure social protection is a ‘Decent Work for All’ – SDG 8.
• Addressing the long-term structural transformations: By ensuring that new technology creates and supports employment, and skills training, treating demographic changes/migration as a ‘dividend’.
• Reinvigorate labour institutions and organisations: To make social dialogue effective and vigorous.
• Review laws and regulations: To make them up-to-date – protecting workers and supporting sustainable businesses.
• Creating a global platform: To recommit to international cooperation and solidarity and to create greater policy coherence, a Global Coalition for Social Justice is needed.

Conclusion: Social justice should be the keystone of labour reforms at the level of national, regional and global policies and actions. This will help in achieving equitable and resilient societies.

Insta Links:

New labour codes give a free hand to employers: Unions

Mains Links:

“Success of the ‘Make in India’ programme depends on the success of the ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms.” Discuss with logical arguments. (UPSC 2015)

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Indian Economy and related issues

Source: TH

 Context: The recent strike by Zomato-owned Blinkit delivery agents has once again brought to the forefront the issues plaguing the gig economy in the country.

Background: The strikes began when Blinkit slashed the minimum payout per delivery to Rs 15 per delivery from Rs 25.

The gig economy in India:

• According to the NITI Aayog estimates, nearly 23.5 million workers will be engaged in the gig economy by 2029.

Issues faced by gig workers:

• Since the gig economy falls outside the scope of traditional, full-time employment, gig workers usually lack basic employment rights such as
  • Minimum wages,
  • Overtime pay,
  • Medical leave, and
  • A statutorily bound resolution of employer-employee disputes.
• Whether gig workers should be categorised as ‘employees’ or as ‘independent contractors’?
• It depends on the extent of control and supervision exercised by the employer and the integration of the worker with the organisation.
  • In India, employees are entitled to a host of benefits under the Minimum Wages Act 1948, EPF Act 1952 and the Payment of Bonus Act 1965.
  • Similarly, contract labourers are governed under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970 and are entitled to benefits under the EPF.
  • However, gig workers display characteristics of both employees and independent contractors → as a result fall outside the ambit of statutory benefits.

What is the proposed law for gig workers? In keeping with the National Commission on Labour’s recommendation to consolidate central labour laws, the Ministry of Labour and Employment introduced the Code on Social Security 2020.

Salient provisions in the Code on Social Security 2020:

• It brings gig workers within the ­ambit of labour laws for the first time.
• It distinguishes between such workers and employees.
• It stipulates that Central and State Governments must frame suitable social security schemes for gig workers.
• A social security fund for gig workers, to which Gig employers must contribute 1-2% of their annual turnover → to be used for the aforementioned schemes.
• It also mandates the compulsory registration of all gig workers to avail of benefits under these schemes.
• It also envisages the constitution of a National Social Security Board by the Central government to monitor the implementation of such schemes.

Concerns:

• Out of the four new labour codes proposed, gig work finds reference only in the Code on Social Security.
• Hence, they cannot create legally recognised unions and access a national minimum wage that applies to all forms of employment.
• Gig workers are excluded from the category of ‘unorganised workers’ or ‘wage workers’.
• Gig workers also remain excluded from accessing the specialised redressal mechanism against their employers.
• They also do not have the right to collective bargaining – a fundamental principle of modern labour law.
• All the above leads to the violation of their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 and comes within the meaning of forced labour under Article 23.

Can judicial intervention be expected? A petition demanding that gig workers or platform workers be declared as ‘unorganised workers’ so that they come under the purview of the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, is pending in the SC of India.

Best practices:

• In 2021, the UK Supreme Court classified Uber drivers as ‘workers’ under the UK Employment Rights Act 1996.
• Germany’s Temporary Employment Act provides for equal pay and equal treatment of gig workers.
• Singapore has also proposed legislative changes to extend work injury insurance and pension coverage to such workers.

Way ahead for India:

• The Labour Codes need to be implemented as soon as possible.
• For this, State governments should frame rules as soon as possible.

Insta Links:

Gig economy

Mains Links:

How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased in formalization detrimental to the development of the country? (UPSC 2016)

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

In Odisha, a group of young bonded labourers has formed a network called Shramavahini, which uses smartphones and social media to alert authorities and rescue fellow workers in distress. The network has over 4,000 members who report cases of distressed labourers requiring assistance from the district administration and concerned officials.

Aim: Shramavahini aims to combat the issue of migrant labourers’ voices going unheard by local administration by facilitating the rescue of distressed labourers as quickly as possible.

Usage: The example highlights the ethical values of empathy towards fellow labourers in distress; Social responsibility; collaboration with civic authorities etc. It can be used in ethics/Governance paper

Source: DTE

The Bihan Mela, or seed festival, has been initiated by the non-profit Nirman in the Nayagarh district of Odisha to help tribal Kondh farmers return to their traditional ways of farming, including mixed-cropping.

Working: The festival involves the exchange of indigenous seeds and serves as a platform for farmers to collect, store and share their native varieties of crops. The non-profit also set up a seed bank in Raisar village to facilitate access to indigenous seeds.

Aim: The Bihan Mela and seed bank aim to address the issue of crop failures caused by erratic rainfall and pest attacks, and to restore food and nutritional security to the region’s farmers.

Usage: The example can be used in Agriculture questions, questions related to Farmers’ Rights in the PPV&FR Act, 2001

Source: TH

 The Rajasthan government’s proposed Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023, which will introduce a welfare board, is a step towards ensuring the welfare of gig workers.

For Gig Workers, working conditions have become increasingly harsh, with gig workers not recognized as “workers” and lacking any social security or related benefits.

Usage: The example can be used as a legislative measure for new digital workers (Platform workers) as well as Gig workers in the Economy/Governance Paper

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Thrissur Pooram, a festival celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam, took place with great fanfare.

 About Thrissur Pooram:

Source: TOI

 Context:

About Blue Holes:

Source: TH

Context: Scientists have discovered 19,325 new seamounts through new high-resolution data, adding to the 24,000 seamounts already mapped in a 2011 census.

About seamounts:

	Information
Seamounts are underwater mountains formed through volcanic activity and are recognized as hotspots for marine life.
Formation	Near mid-ocean ridges, intraplate hotspots, or oceanic island chains
Mapping	Echo sounders/multibeam sonar on ships for topographic mapping, or satellite altimetry for gravity-field mapping
Importance	Provide information about mantle composition and tectonic plate evolution, influence ocean circulation and absorption of heat/CO2, and support diverse biological communities
Example	The Emperor Seamounts, a chain of seamounts in the Pacific Ocean
India’s contribution	The SARAL satellite, developed in collaboration with France, helped expand the seamount catalogue through improved radar noise reduction
Seamounts Vs Guyots	Seamounts differ from Guyots, which are also formed from undersea volcanoes but were once above the surface of the ocean and have since submerged to form flat-topped undersea mountains.

 Source: TH

Context: The Indian government is planning to introduce a star rating system for water fixtures called Bharat Tap, which will include ratings of 3, 4, and 5 stars based on water efficiency.

About the Bharat Tap initiative:

Source: TH

Context: The Supreme Court of India has directed all states to register FIRs (First Information Reports) against hate speech incidents and proceed against the offenders without waiting for someone to lodge a complaint.

About Hate Speech:

Source: TH

 Context: After a six-year absence, a group of lesser flamingos has returned to Pulicat Lake in Chennai

About the lesser flamingo: