India’s oldest Socialist Weekly!
Editor: Dr. G.G. Parikh | Associate Editor: Neeraj Jain | Managing Editor: Guddi
India’s large capitalists and India’s people are both facing problems at present. These problems appear to be direct opposites of each other; but in fact they are two faces of the same phenomenon. The first part of this article described the financial situation of the corporate sector. This part describes the financial situation of the people.
‘Return of the Long Working Day!’: A personal experience of an emotionally, physically and financially draining stint with corporate slavery in India’s finance capital. Also: ‘Government of Maharashtra’s Decision to “Reform” Labour Laws is Highly Regressive and a Clear Attack on Labour Rights’.
‘10-Minute Delivery in Relentless Rains: What it Costs Riders and What They Earn?’: Delivery persons for apps like Blinkit and Swiggy work in conditions akin to forced labour, and earn less than minimum wages. Also: ‘Gig Work Legislations Significant in Opening the Space for Labour Protection’.
If urban modernity is built on denial of dignity to those who clean it, then what kind of progress is it?
A budget of Rs. 86,000 crore in FY26 is grossly insufficient and clearly shows that livelihood security for rural poor is not a priority for the Modi government.
“The Cost of ‘Ease’: Labour Protections Under Attack in Andhra and Karnataka”: State governments are, paradoxically, simultaneously relaxing labour protections while lacking the capacity to enforce even existing regulations. Also: “‘Lazy’ Workforce or ‘Arrogant’ Government? Row Over Andhra Ordinance Allowing Ten-Hour Workdays”.
The employment rate among youth has declined from around 53% in 2004-2005 to 40% in 2022-2023. The fall in employment rate occurred alongside a fall in youth labour force participation rate. Clearly, the youth are increasingly falling out of the labour force as they are not finding work: they are becoming “discouraged workers”.
The ASHAs of Kerala receive a meagre honorarium though they play an indispensable role in the State’s healthcare. They are seen as ‘volunteers’ and the Centre refuses to classify them as ‘workers’, but the State government has failed to meet their immediate demands for fair pay and social security.
With stable employment outside government scarce, educated female aspirants say they are being pushed towards domesticity and marriage after repeated cancellation of exams.
Budgets for most of the schemes and departments, such as education, health, social security pensions, and mid-day meals, are either stagnant or have increased only nominally. Accounting for inflation, the NREGA budget is effectively lower by ~Rs 4,000 crore compared to the FY2025 budget.
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