A recent report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) states that the countrywide lockdown imposed on 25th March, 2020, which was extended for nearly two months in phases, affected the food and nutritional status of vulnerable sections of the Indian population. It says that a programme like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme covers four-fifth of primary-school-aged children in the country that helps in improving not only nutrition but also...

-The Hindu Ministry concedes Q1 growth to be hit, bats for expanding vaccination pace. The second COVID-19 wave which is spreading fast beyond the worst-affected districts in the country, could dent economic activity till June this year, and expanding vaccination pace in the country is the “need of the hour”, the Finance Ministry said on Friday. The Ministry also indicated it is not in favour of a national lockdown to curb the pandemic,...

-Press release by Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN) dated 5th May, 2021 Soon after the lockdown was imposed in 2020, a group of around 100 volunteers formed Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN). Last year, SWAN responded to distress calls from over 30,000 migrant workers from across India. It connected these workers to local organisations and government officials providing rations, assisted them with their travel arrangements, and distributed over Rs.63 lakhs in...

-The Indian Express Delhi Police's special branch asked the district police to intensify patrolling at night to prevent unauthorized movement of labourers. As Covid cases surge and the possibility of a lockdown looms in the national capital, the Special Branch of Delhi Police, after taking cues from the mass migrant movement during the last shutdown, has asked all 15 district police officials to counsel migrant workers and send them back to their...

Although services provided by the gig and platform workers touch the lives of each one of us, we have little knowledge about the role of digital labour platforms in transforming the world of work. Such digital labour platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for workers, businesses and society. However, they also pose serious threats to decent work and fair competition. A recent report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) shows that the...