This blog is written by my very good friend Dwight Jason Ronan. Follow him at Vestigium Widespread criticisms in the 1980s regarding conventional top-down approaches in delivering social services paved the way to the rapid growth and expansion of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Putting emphasis on the expanded role of the civil society — with NGOs…
Read moreTrade Unions in India’s Coal Sector goes on Strike
In what is being touted as one of the biggest industrial action in the last four decades, more than half a million workers of India’s coal sector has gone on a strike in India. Coal India Limited (CIL) has 3.5 lakh permanent workers and 50,000 contract workers, while Singareni Collieries, a subsidiary of CIL has…
Read moreSOCIAL MEDIA FOR TRADE UNIONS-Article Series
Defining Social Media “Social media” is the broad term given to describe the latest evolution of internet and web based communication platforms which enable users to rapidly connect and interact in a variety of different formats. A social media site is a platform that allows user-generated content to emerge through interactions and collaborations in a…
Read moreFacebook and Apple’s decision to pay for ‘egg freezing’ far from Ideal
Since ages, capitalism has re-structured families and societies that we live in. The recent decision by Silicon Valley giants like Facebook and Apple giving up to $20,000 in benefits to help employees pay for infertility treatments, sperm donors and even to freeze their eggs is one more addition to this capitalist agenda. It says, Sit…
Read moreSOCIAL MEDIA AND TRADE UNIONS IN INDIA-ARTICLE SERIES
PART-1 Understanding and Breaking the Myths about Social Media among Indian Trade Unions Trade Unions, especially in India, are yet to recognize the immense potential of Social media, and have till yet remain increasingly aloof from using it. Most of the use has been limited to either posting pictures or on some occasions, news about…
Read moreMothers’ day special: India one of the worst places to be Mom
Today is Mothers’ day. I personally don’t agree with the concept of having a definite day to show our affection/care/love for our mother. For me, rather than making/buying cards, bouquets, flowers and sending them to our mothers, it would be more worthwhile to have a discussion on how our mothers fare. Questions like are we…
Read moreNeo-liberalism, food security and agriculture laborers in Bangladesh
By Mohammad Shahidullah Food security of agriculture labor Food security is broadly defined as access by all people at all times to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs for a healthy and productive life. It depends on availability of food, access to food and utilization of food at national, household and individual level….
Read moreLabour Issues in the election Manifestos of AAP, Congress and the BJP
With the 2014 general elections around the corner, all the major political parties have released their manifestos already. This note looks through the election manifestos of the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and the newly emerged Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and highlights the promises that are given by each of these parties with…
Read moreLOCKED TO DEATH
They locked me They burnt me alive I don’t want any more press statements Why is the factory a prison?? I do not accept having to work under lockup conditions I DO NOT! We demand a real investigation, justice and punishment of those responsible We want the guarantee of natural deaths A collective of Writers-artists-teachers-cultural-political…
Read morePOLICE CRACKDOWN AT PROTESTING WORKERS IN UTTARAKHAND
On, 15 April 2012, the Uttarakhand police lathi charged more than 300 workers who have been sitting on a protest in Dehradun for the last ten days. 11 workers who have been on hunger strike (six from April 6th and five who joined them on April 9th) have been forcibly hospitalised in Doon Hospital, where…
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