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#poverty

Good News

India to Replace Minimum Wage with Living Wages by 2025, Aims to Lift Millions Out of Poverty

India is set to undergo a significant shift in its wage system as it plans to replace the minimum wage with living wages by 2025. The government aims to seek technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO) to develop a framework for estimating and implementing living wages. But what does this move mean for Indian workers and the overall economy? Lifting Millions Out of Poverty The transition from minimum wages to living wages is a crucial step towards improving the lives of Indian workers. With over 500 million workers, of which 90% are in the unorganized sector, India faces challenges in ensuring fair and sufficient wages for all. By implementing living wages, the government aims to lift millions out of poverty and provide them with a decent standard of living. Addressing Wage Discrepancies and Enforceability Currently, many workers earn a daily minimum wage of ₹176 or more, but the national wage floor has remained stagnant since 2017. Moreover, the lack of enforceability across states has led to wage payment discrepancies. The shift to living wages seeks to address these issues by establishing a more uniform and enforceable wage system across the country. The Role of the International Labour Organization India, as a founding member of the ILO, is seeking technical assistance from the organization to develop a comprehensive framework for estimating and implementing living wages. The ILO defines the living wage as the wage level necessary to afford a decent standard of living for workers and their families. With the ILO's support, India aims to showcase the positive economic outcomes of implementing living wages and promote decent work and economic growth. Challenges and Benefits of the Transition While the move towards living wages is commendable, it comes with its own set of challenges. Implementing a national living wage framework across states with varying costs of living requires careful planning. Small and medium enterprises, in particular, may face financial strain due to increased labor costs. Additionally, the diversity of living costs across different regions of India poses a challenge in establishing a uniform living wage rate. Despite these challenges, India's robust economic growth and a rate of 8.4% indicate the country's capacity to support higher wages. The transition to living wages not only addresses worker concerns about the current minimum wage but also aligns with India's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Balancing Affordability and Worker Well-being Balancing affordability for businesses with ensuring worker well-being will be crucial in the successful implementation of living wages. The government's commitment to developing a well-defined and operational system, with the assistance of the ILO, is essential. By providing enough income to cover basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, living wages will improve the overall well-being of workers and their families. A Positive Step towards a Fairer Wage System India's plan to replace the minimum wage with living wages by 2025 represents a significant step towards creating a fairer wage system. The shift aims to reduce poverty, bridge wage discrepancies, and promote economic growth. As the government collaborates with the ILO to develop a comprehensive framework, it will be important to ensure effective implementation and address the diverse needs of workers across different regions.

27 Mar 2024
Good News

India Emerges Victorious Against Extreme Poverty, Nation Now Eligible To Move to a Higher Poverty Line.

In the ongoing pursuit of socioeconomic progress, nations around the world continually grapple with the challenge of poverty alleviation. Within this context, the Head Count Ratio (HCR) serves as a critical metric, offering insight into the proportion of a population living below the Poverty Line. Recently, India achieved a significant milestone on its developmental journey, as research conducted by the American think tank Brookings indicates the official eradication of "extreme poverty" within its borders. This remarkable feat is not only marked by a substantial decline in the headcount poverty ratio but also by a noteworthy surge in household expenditures. At the heart of this achievement lies the government's proactive redistribution policies, which have played a pivotal role in fostering a decade of robust and inclusive development for the nation. . What Helped In Eliminating Poverty: According to Brookings, high growth and a large decline in inequality have combined to eliminate poverty in India for the Purchasing Power Parity USD 1.9 poverty line. The Headcount Poverty Ratio (HCR) for the 2011 PPP USD 1.9 poverty line has declined from 12.2 percent in 2011-12 to 2 percent in 2022-23, equivalent to 0.93 percentage points (ppt) per year. Rural poverty stood at 2.5 percent while urban poverty was down to 1 percent. For the PPP USD 3.2 line, HCR declined from 53.6 percent to 20.8 percent. Notably, these estimates do not take into account the free food (wheat and rice) supplied by the government to approximately two-thirds of the population, nor utilization of public health and education, the think tank stated. The data show a strikingly lower number of poor people in India, at both thresholds than those estimated by the World Bank. India’s Headcount Poverty Ratio: The Brookings Report presented a chart showing India’s Headcount Poverty Ratio for both the 1.9 USD PPP ( Purchasing power parities (PPPs) are the rates of currency conversion that try to equalize the purchasing power of different currencies, by eliminating the differences in price levels of between countries) and the 3.2 USD PPP from 1977-78. It stated that the change in slope of the HCR for the higher 3.2 USD poverty line “reveals the extent of inclusive growth experienced in India over the last decade.” The decline in HCR at the higher poverty line is remarkable given that in the past it took 30 years for India to witness a similar decline in poverty levels as now witnessed over 11 years, it added. The authors think that the relatively higher consumption growth in rural areas should not come as a surprise given the “strong policy thrust on redistribution through a wide variety of publicly funded programs.” Brookings lauded the national mission for the construction of toilets and attempts to ensure universal access to electricity, modern cooking fuel, and, more recently, piped water, among the policies that thrived consumption. The rural access to piped water in India as of August 15, 2019, was 16.8 percent and at present it is 74.7 percent, the report cited. The reduced sickness from accessing safe water may have helped families save more income. District Program with Aspirations: Similarly, 112 districts nationwide were designated as having the lowest development indicators under the Aspirational District Programme. Government measures specifically targeted these districts to enhance their development performance. According to official data, India has successfully eradicated severe poverty, as it is generally referred to in international comparisons. According to the Brookings paper, "This is an encouraging development with positive implications for global poverty headcount rates."This implies that India must now advance to a higher poverty level in line with other nations. Redefining current social security programs is made possible by the move to a higher poverty level, especially with the aim of better identifying intended beneficiaries and offering more assistance to the truly impoverished.        

12 Mar 2024
Good News

India's Bold Strides: Major Programs Lift Millions Out of Poverty Cycle

Post Independence Era India as a nation suffered from ' Poverrty traps '.  An economic system that keeps a country stuck in a never-ending cycle of poverty is known as a "poverty trap." Because of their limited access to credit markets and finance, underdeveloped and emerging nations experience this self-reinforcing predicament. War, a lack of money, bad credit, corruption, bad infrastructure, ineffective public health care system, weak educational system, and insufficient infrastructure are some of the things that cause a nation and its citizens to fall into poverty. In the last nine years, more than 24.8 crore Indians have emerged from poverty NITI study elaborates:  According to research released by Niti Aayog on January 15, up to 24.82 crore people were lifted out of multidimensional poverty in nine years, ending in 2022–2023. The biggest declines were seen in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The NITI discussion paper states that throughout the period of 2022–2023, multidimensional poverty in India decreased from 29.17% in 2013–14 to 11.28% in 2022–2023, with about 24.82 crore individuals falling out of this category. According to NITI Aayog, the national multidimensional poverty assesses concurrent deprivations across three equally weighted dimensions of health, education, and standard of living, which are represented by 12 indicators that are associated with the sustainable development goals. These include food, maternal health, child and adolescent mortality, years of education, attendance in schools, fuel for cooking, hygienic conditions, clean drinking water, power, housing, possessions, and bank accounts. Visionary Poverty alleviation Programs by the government:  Prominent programmes such as Anemia Mukt Bharat and Poshan Abhiyan have improved access to medical facilities and thereby reduced deprivation. Under the National Food Security Act, the Targeted Public Distribution System, one of the biggest food security initiatives globally, supplies food grains to both rural and urban populations, serving 81.35 crore people. The government's dedication is demonstrated by recent choices like the five-year extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana's free food grain distribution. Health for mothers initiatives, the distribution of clean cooking fuel under the Ujjwala Yojana, increased electricity coverage through Saubhagya, and revolutionary campaigns like Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission have all contributed to an improvement in people's quality of life and general well-being. Furthermore, major initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana have been essential in promoting financial inclusion and giving the poor access to secure housing. India is expected to experience single-digit poverty by 2024. This is made possible by the numerous government programs and activities aimed at enhancing particular areas of deprivation.  India is expected to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) well in advance of 2030, with a 1.2% increase in multidimensional poverty reduction (at least half). The Indian government, which seeks to eradicate poverty in all its forms, has improved people's lives with amazing success. While each state performs differently, several historically high-poor states have made impressive strides toward assisting citizens in escaping poverty, which has decreased inter-state differences in multidimensional poverty. As a result, the underlying issues with obtaining basic services are being quickly overcome, allowing the nation to focus on developing into a developed nation by 2047—Viksit Bharat!  

23 Jan 2024
Good News

Positive Reads

Jharkhand's "Operation Salvage Ultra-poor" Empowers Thousands to Escape Extreme Poverty

In a pioneering effort to combat extreme poverty, the Jharkhand State Livelihoods Promotion Society (JSLPS) has launched "Operation Salvage Ultra-poor." This ambitious project, implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), aims to empower around 4,000 ultra-poor families in Jharkhand to break free from the shackles of destitution. Living in abject conditions with limited skills and little or no productive assets, these families are trapped in a cycle of unpredictable wages and social isolation. The Ultra Poor Graduation Approach in Jharkhand (UPAJ) identifies these vulnerable households, providing them with a comprehensive support system over three years. The project encompasses a range of interventions, including supporting livelihood activities such as chicken farming, goat farming, and kitchen gardening. Additionally, the families are connected with government welfare schemes, provided with financial assistance, and receive five-month consumption support. With an investment of Rs 20,000 per household, Jharkhand's Operation Salvage Ultra-poor demonstrates a steadfast commitment to uplift the most vulnerable sections of society, offering them a pathway to a more secure and prosperous future.

7 Sep 2023
Positive Reads

Star Citizens

Rising Above Adversity: The Incredible Journey of a Young Woman Who Dared to Dream

Syeda Salva Fatima's fascination for the firmament invoked in her a dream to soar to the skies. While she couldn’t afford flight tickets, she realized her dream from the cockpit and not from the passenger seat. Fatima is one of the few Muslim women in India who holds a commercial pilot's license. Her story is one of triumph over adversity as she becomes Old City's first commercial pilot, a dream she dared to pursue despite growing up in poverty. Salva, the daughter of a bakery worker, resisted being constrained by society's oppressive conservatism or intimidated by financial limitations. Thanks to her principal, Mrs. Alifia's kind act, Fatima completed her education at the Neo School Aizza, Malakpet. A renowned Old City journalist and philanthropist paid for her term at the Aviation Academy in 2007. The KCR-led Telangana government passed a GO in 2015 granting a 35 lakh scholarship for her multi-engine endorsement and DGCA-type rating to make her eligible to fly an Airbus or a Boeing. She sharpened her talents in overseas aviation academies in New Zealand and Bahrain before obtaining a pilot's license and securing employment with a premier airline. She took to the skies on a Cessna Skyhawk at the Telangana Aviation Academy and, a decade later, became a First Officer with a top private airline, flying the Airbus-320. Even while sailing at altitudes of 30,000 feet or higher, Fatima maintained a solid grounding defying the glossy connotations of the airline sector with exotic locales, fine dining, or stylish guests. The young girl in a hijab never lost sight of her roots, and she never wavered in her faith.  The mother of two admits that the biggest challenge now is juggling her high-flying career and family. However, she remains determined to work harder so that her kids are spared from the struggles she had to go through. Moreover, Fatima is proud of her roots and will never quit Old City for plush locales in Banjara and Jubilee Hills, saying, "This is where I belong. This is where I achieved." Fatima is an icon for millions of girls in Hyderabad who see in her as the epitome of hope and courage.

7 Aug 2023
Star Citizens

This Star Citizen’s Concern and Hard Work Helped Rehabilitate Thousands of Manual Scavengers

Manual scavenging has been prevalent in India for a long time and giant strides in technology and development have not worked to the advantage of this inhumane work. Although the Manual Scavenging Act was introduced in 2013 to abolish this practice, it has met with little success as people, especially women continue to do this menial work. Asif Sheikh who himself faced marginalization in his childhood learned that the manual scavengers are made to believe that they are low caste and this work is what God has chosen for them and they should do it. He decided to change this misconception and started the Jan Sahas Organisation to put an end to manual scavenging. Jan Sahas Movement Asif Sheikh founded the Jan Sahas organization in 2000. They started their work at Bhaurasa in Madhya Pradesh where they convinced 26 women to give up this unpleasant job and were provided with alternate employment. According to Asif, the women burnt their baskets as a symbol to boycott the ill practice. The women are taught skills like tailoring that will enable them to earn their livelihood. Nationwide Movement The Jan Sahas Movement met with great success when in 2013, a nationwide campaign was launched along with former manual scavengers to put an end to the practice. Around 65 percent of former manual scavengers are trained to become advocates to fight for the rights of the backward communities and assist in imparting justice to them. The efforts of responsible citizens like Asif Sheikh should be appreciated and acknowledged by society as they selflessly strive to uplift people from the shackles of poverty. Image Source: YourStory

6 Nov 2019
Star Citizens

Global News

Scotland: World’s First Country to Offer Menstrual Products for Free

When there is a will, there is a way — and Scotland's story proves just that. On a momentous occasion, Scotland has made history by becoming the first country in the world to provide free menstrual products to those in need.  This groundbreaking move was the result of years of campaigning by activists and lawmakers who recognized the importance of addressing period poverty, which refers to the lack of access to affordable or free menstrual products that can have a negative impact on people's health, education, and well-being. The new policy, which has been implemented by the Scottish government, aims to ensure that all people have access to the menstrual products they need in schools, colleges, universities, and other public buildings. This includes tampons, pads, and menstrual cups.  The government also plans to provide free menstrual products to those in need through food banks and other support services. This groundbreaking policy is a significant step forward in terms of gender equality and reproductive rights. It is also a practical solution to a problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds, but disproportionately affects those who are low-income or experiencing homelessness.    By making menstrual products more accessible and affordable, Scotland is helping to reduce stigma and shame surrounding periods, and is setting an example for other countries to follow.

23 Dec 2022
Global News

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