1.
Financial
inclusion for women through Project Kirana
Mastercard and USAID have
joined forces to create digital Kirana shops, owned or operated by women. Project
Kirana launched by MasterCard, a global payments tech and USAID, a development
agency, will enroll as many as 3000 women in Uttar Pradesh. The project will
help increase revenue streams, expand financial inclusion and digital payment
adoption through Kirana shops run by these 3000 women. The initiative will
address the gaps in gender equality, towards women-owned businesses to help
them thrive and grow, globally. MasterCard has set aside $ 250 million in
support of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). India will receive $ 33 million
from this share, which should empower women entrepreneurs for the coming five
years. The project will also help in inclusive growth, with small business
owners and women enjoying access to credit and increasing their business
acumen. USAID’s global network includes a 186-member strong group of gender
advisors, who accelerate the development agency’s work worldwide.
2.
Labour Code 2020: AITUC
objects to 12-hour factory work rule
The
draft rules of the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions
(OSH&WC) proposes a 12-hour factory work time for workers. However, the All
India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has raised objections citing this to be a
transgression of the ILO Convention. A similar provision introduced by the
Gujarat government was struck down by the Supreme Court. The central trade
union opined that this rule is a clear violation of the first ILO Convention
[Hours of Work Industry Convention, 1919 (No. C001)], to which India is a
signee. The trade union also alleges that there is a possibility of other draft
rules needing inspection, passing of which would only intensify their resolve
to go on a strike on November 26. The AITUC further alleges that the Government
had also ‘undemocratically’ passed the three new labour codes, without the
presence of the opposition.
3.
VRS
offered to Ashok Leyland staff yet again
Last
year, the Company had offered a voluntary retirement scheme to those eligible
and an employee separation scheme or ESS to those who were not eligible. Ashok
Leyland has decided to offer its employees a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS)
for the second time. Last year, it had rolled out a VRS option for those who
were eligible, as well as an employee separation scheme for those who were not
eligible. The Chennai-based Indian automobile company has received approval
from the board of directors for the scheme, which is open to all the employees
who have completed at least a year’s service. The VRS will come into effect
over the next nine months. Apparently, many employees had expressed an interest
to retire early. The aim of the scheme is to allow employees to take up other
jobs or careers that offer them more flexibility, and at the same, help the
Company optimise its capacity and resources.
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