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Occupational Safety Code Rules Ignore Workers, Serve Interests of Employers

THE Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified draft rules under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code on November 19, 2020, inviting objections and suggestions, if any, from the public. Accordingly, the CITU submitted its objections within the stipulated time debunking the draft rules in totality.

Kerala: Preparing the State’s Economy for the ‘New Normal’ Post Pandemic

THE ways we live our lives are changing drastically because of the pandemic, environmental disasters, and the global economic crisis. Whether we like it or not, almost all spheres of life are witnessing the emergence of a new normal. A return to the old normal is ruled out. The Kerala budget for 2021-22 is a brave effort to take on the challenges of the post-pandemic order. Notably, the budget is well informed by a thorough understanding of the pattern of changes occurring in different spheres of life.

Education Behind the Bars: Kashmir

"Where the people are many and their hands are all emptyWhere the pellets of poison are flooding their watersWhere the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prisonAnd the executioner's face is always well hidden."WHEN the COVID pandemic took lives and the reality of the health care system of the country plagued by continued neglect was barely open, the Modi government true to form forced students to take final year exams. But it has done nothing to now reopen educational institutions except bring out guidelines which are an eyewash.

Central Vista: Justice Undone

THE protest at Capitol building in Washington on January 6 was unequivocally condemned worldwide. Apart from the general feeling which many of us had to this protest/ attack, I was also intrigued to know- “How old is the building?” The same building which was targeted by the Trump supporters.  This Capitol building was made operational in 1800 after seven years of construction work and continues to stand tall and serve its purpose.

Darkness after Noon, Capitol on Fire

THE darkest nightmare came alive on January 6, 2021. The venue was the most exalted symbol of American democracy, the Capitol Hill, which houses the Congress and the Senate. Images and live streaming videos invaded television households not just in the US, but across the world, with explosive fury.The setting for this extraordinary ‘insurrection’ was the holding of the Congress and the Senate for confirming the formal election of president – elect, Joe Biden. All possible institutional and legal challenges by Donald Trump to deny the results had been exhausted.

Women Workers and the Anti-Farmer Laws

INDIAN farmers have been agitating for the repeal of three farm laws ever since the enactment in 2020. However, this agitation has reached its peak since the last month with many of the Delhi borders being blockaded by the protesters demanding repeal of the ‘black laws’. Many women farmers and organisations have also joined the agitation because these laws will have a profound impact on the everyday lives of women.

Repeal These Agri-Laws

ONCE again, the talks between the central government and representatives of the kisan organisations today (December 30) failed to resolve the main issues on which these unprecedented kisan protests are taking place.  The central government refused to consider the repeal of these Agri-Laws but has apparently agreed to reconsider the Electricity (Amendment) Bill and remove kisans from the Pollution Act.  Another round of talks is scheduled for January 4, 2021.The BJP central government’s continued obduracy regarding the repeal of the three Agri-Laws prolongs the deadlock in the ongoing huge p

2020 – Relentless Assault on People by a Callous Govt

THE year that is ending saw India face one of the worst calamities in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the year will also be tragically remembered because the Indian government turned into an open enemy of the people, dropping all pretences of working for their welfare. It not only monumentally mismanaged the pandemic but, in the process, it foisted a series of policies on the country that would consolidate the rule of big capitalists and landowners, big traders and foreign monopolists, grinding down the peasantry and working class in the process.

Growing unity among the Agrarian Classes will Force the Modi Government to Give in

THE growing unity among the various agrarian classes is clearly visible in the ongoing farmers’ struggle. The enduring agrarian crisis that had taken a toll of over five lakh peasant suicides (since 1995) due to indebtedness is the major factor that ensures consolidation of the peasant classes against the neo-liberal policies.

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