Indian Express Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Employment in India

 GS-3 Mains Exam : Economy

Question : Analyze the role of the informal sector in absorbing surplus labor in India, particularly during unfavorable agricultural years. Why is the drop in the informal sector’s workforce considered bad news for the economy?

Problem:

• Number of workers in unincorporated enterprises (informal sector) has fallen in India (2015-16 to 2022-23) as per NSSO data reported by Indian Express.
• Drop happened entirely in manufacturing (3.60 crore to 3.06 crore workers).
• Informal sector acted as a buffer for unskilled/semi-skilled labor but due to demonetization, GST, and lockdowns, it shrunk.

Why the drop is bad news:

• Informal sector absorbed surplus labor, especially during bad agricultural years.

Formalization of workforce?

• Might have offset the decline in informal jobs, but reliable data is unavailable.
• Informal jobs pay low (average Rs 1,24,482 annually).
• India needs to move surplus labor from informal sector (including agriculture) to formal sector (manufacturing and high-productivity services).

Why Manufacturing and service sector are not absorbing labor?

• Manufacturing is becoming capital-intensive with automation and AI.
• Service sectors like IT demand skills most lack.

Agriculture Sector as a Solution:

• Agriculture and allied activities can provide employment “near and outside farms”.
• Jobs in aggregation, grading, processing, packaging, transport, storage, and retail of produce or supplying inputs/services to farmers.
• Need to see agriculture as a “farm as a factory” for value addition.
• Processing farm produce (like converting onion/tomato to paste/puree) can create jobs and add value like sugar mills and dairies.

Conclusion:

• Value addition in agriculture can address multiple issues in India:
  • Raise farmer income
  • Reduce food waste
  • Improve food security
  • Control food inflation
  • Generate meaningful employment to absorb surplus labor

 

Indian Express Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Menstrual Leave in India

 GS-1 Mains Exam : Society

Question : Critically analyze the Supreme Court’s concerns regarding mandatory menstrual leave policies potentially hindering women’s job opportunities. How can a balanced model policy be developed with stakeholder consultations?

Supreme Court’s Comment :

• Raised concerns about mandatory menstrual leave policies potentially hindering women’s job opportunities.
• Urged the government to create a balanced model policy with stakeholder consultations.

Challenges for Working Women:

• Motherhood Penalty: Pregnancy and childcare can stall career advancement.
• Workplace Housekeeping: Women are often assigned menial administrative tasks not typically given to male colleagues.

Potential Impact of Menstrual Leave:

• Risk of Discrimination: May become an obstacle for women seeking jobs or promotions.
• Medicalizing Menstruation: Could potentially pathologize a normal biological function.

The Debate:

• Against Paid Leave: Concerns about discrimination based on biology (Smriti Irani, Rajya Sabha)
• For Leave with Safeguards: Need to address genuine health issues (endometriosis, dysmenorrhea) with proper guidelines to prevent misuse.

Global Examples:

• Spain (June 2023): First European nation with paid menstrual leave. Low uptake due to complex process and discrimination fears.
• Indonesia: Two-day leave policy with low utilization due to mandatory medical exam requirement.
• Taiwan & Zambia: Existing policies face implementation challenges.

India’s Opportunity:

• Supreme Court’s comment opens the door for a well-designed policy.
• Existing draft menstrual hygiene policy mentions flexible hours and support leaves as an option (good starting point).

Key Considerations for Policy Development:

• Recognize women’s biological needs.
• Address workplace demands.
• Achieve a balance between the two.