Hello and welcome to The Moving Curve. I’m Rukmini, a data journalist based in Chennai. Every night on this mini-cas, I consider one question around the novel coronavirus epidemic in India. Tonight I’m considering this one — have we done the right thing by loosening labour laws?
Somesh Jha’s article on the labour law changes in Madhya Pradesh: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/mp-plans-to-ease-labour-laws-factory-safety-norms-as-it-woos-industry-120050601307_1.html
His article on UP’s suspension of labour laws: https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/up-ordinance-dismantles-industrial-dispute-mechanism-keeps-minimum-wage-120050801724_1.html
His Twitter thread on the raising of hours of work:
As with all moments of great challenge for a country, there is the opportunity to create a new social compact when we venture out into the world again — or to rip up the rights and protections those before fought for decades to win for us. It’s frightening to see which way we’ve chosen to go.
Thank you for listening. This episode was edited by Anand Krishnamoorthi. Tomorrow — a new question.
