The media deprives migrant workers of agency while the Indian state uses them to ‘manage’ the middle class. The Covid-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on migrant workers. Perhaps never before in recent history have they received so much media coverage. The mainstream media, which has often ignored migrants as “invisible” workers, has seemingly turned…
Category: LABOR
I come to Helsinki twice a year, usually for my work trips. Most of the trips are about closed door conference hall meetings in a hotel. And Dinners at night usually with union partners and colleagues. Sometimes, I also get to meet with some young members, mostly in seminars, where I interact with them and…
What in your phone is making you laugh? It’s a meme: A thief entered my room last night. He was looking for money. I joined him in the search. Lovely one. An accurate, mischievous description of today. On the train, a person was calling out loudly: From tomorrow, all over India, everyone’s salary will be…
I work with South Asian Trade Unions. Interesting as it is, it throws up quite a number of challenges. Of many, Trade Unionists being involved in electoral politics, is one of the very important challenges. I personally do not mind Trade Unions or Unionist having a political ideology or for that matter even participating in…
With the consistent growth of Neo-liberal mode of development, attacks against workers is on the rise across the world. Workers are being jailed in countries like Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Turkey and many others for standing up for the rights of fellow comrades. In India, there has been a systematic attack on workers’ rights, done through codification…
At the recently concluded Rusty Radiator Award given to the fundraising videos, which uses the worst kind of stereotypes, the Compassion International’s ‘The wait is over’ was a clear winner. The jury while giving the award highlighted that the video promotes deep-rooted perceptions of Western superiority over the South. It reinforces the white savior complex,…
How is it that almost all the leaders of the organized trade union movement in India belong to privileged classes. Interestingly the same lot also belong to the ‘higher castes’ in India.Is it a mere coincidence? or is it by design? Many would say, that is just a coincidence. While those who consider themselves a…
In one of the many workshops I attended as a resource person, my colleague and friend, who was also there to speak to young trade unionists in Nepal, highlighted that “Those not a part of trade union movement yet are the future of the trade union movement” Of course, like expected it did lead to…
Working women across the world faces discrimination on the basis of their pregnancy in the corporate world. They are often asked to go on forced leave and many are sometimes made to quit too. A movie called ‘The Calling’ does well to highlight some issues related to pregnancy and corporate attitude towards it. The…
2nd September, 2015: Touted as one of the biggest strikes to ever occur in Indian History, over 150 Million workers, as part of 10 Central workers Unions in India are on strike today. The protesters are striking against the ongoing anti-worker policies being adopted by the current government. The current government starting off with states…