News for 'labour'

India raises H1B visa concerns with US amid interview delays

India raises H1B visa concerns with US amid interview delays

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

India has raised concerns with the United States regarding the cancellation of scheduled H1B visa interviews for Indian applicants due to enhanced vetting measures. Both countries are engaged in discussions to address the disruptions caused by the delays.

Amitabh, Akshay At Ikkis Screening

Amitabh, Akshay At Ikkis Screening

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

Ikkis will release on January 1.

3rd T20I: India women look to seal series vs listless Lankans

3rd T20I: India women look to seal series vs listless Lankans

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

3rd Women's T20I: India look to seal series with another dominant show against Sri Lanka

Gsec yield curve may flatten in FY27

Gsec yield curve may flatten in FY27

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

The government bond yield curve is likely to flatten in the financial year 2027 (FY27) as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to ease supply pressure in the ultra-long segment. In FY26 so far, reduced investments by insurance companies and pension funds pushed up yields on ultra-long tenor securities, steepening the curve.

Centre restarts MGNREGA in West Bengal, but conditions apply

Centre restarts MGNREGA in West Bengal, but conditions apply

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

After a gap of more than three years, the central government has agreed to resume the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works in West Bengal with immediate effect, but subject to mandatory adherence to stringent conditions. These include a prohibition on any work valued at more than 20 lakh, compulsory 100 per cent electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) verification of all workers, and mandatory pre-estimation field visits for all works before they are undertaken.

India GDP estimated to grow at 7.5 pc in FY26

India GDP estimated to grow at 7.5 pc in FY26

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

India's real gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to grow at 7.5 per cent in FY26 and moderate to 7 per cent in the subsequent fiscal year, a domestic rating agency said on Wednesday.

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

'MGNREGA was about a guaranteed right to work.' 'The new law does not guarantee employment at all.' 'It removes everything that made MGNREGA a legal guarantee.'

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The Congress will launch a nationwide campaign against the repeal of the United Progressive Alliance-era rural employment legislation Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on January 5, similar to the pushback against the three farm laws which eventually forced the Narendra Modi government to rollback its decision, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

'India Should Move Quickly As Conditions Change'

'India Should Move Quickly As Conditions Change'

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

'The real story of 2025 is that India officially stopped being a 'market of the future' and started acting as the world's primary economic engine.'

Buzz over CM change resurfaces as Shivakumar meets Kharge

Buzz over CM change resurfaces as Shivakumar meets Kharge

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, leading to speculation about a change in chief minister. Shivakumar denies discussing political matters, focusing on the MGNREGA replacement.

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizes the government's proposed bill to replace MGNREGA, arguing it weakens the guaranteed 100 days of employment for the poor and centralizes control over the scheme.

India Inc to see 9% salary growth in 2026

India Inc to see 9% salary growth in 2026

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Average employee salaries in India are set to increase by 9 per cent in 2026, with a renewed focus on short-term incentives and skills-based systems, a report said on Wednesday. According to Mercer's Total Remuneration Survey 2026, organisations in India are shifting toward broader, more holistic value propositions and the top factors influencing salary increases include individual performance, inflation and the organisation's competitiveness in the job market, among others.

G RAM-G replaces MGNREGA after President's assent

G RAM-G replaces MGNREGA after President's assent

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, which aims to replace MGNREGA and guarantee 125 days of wage employment per rural household.

India, New Zealand conclude FTA negotiations

India, New Zealand conclude FTA negotiations

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday said the negotiations for a free trade agreement with India have been concluded.

Taj Mahal To Dal Lake: North India's Winter Fog

Taj Mahal To Dal Lake: North India's Winter Fog

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Dense winter fog and smog have gripped several Indian cities, from Agra's Taj Mahal to the streets of New Delhi, Srinagar, Lucknow, and beyond. These chilling visuals capture how residents, commuters, and tourists are coping with poor visibility and biting cold. From washermen on the Gomti riverbank to Shikara rides in Dal Lake, the photographs highlight the impact of extreme weather on daily life across northern India.

Convicted Maha minister Manikrao Kokate resigns from Cabinet

Convicted Maha minister Manikrao Kokate resigns from Cabinet

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Nationalist Congress Party minister Manikrao Kokate has resigned from the Maharashtra Cabinet after a court upheld his conviction and two-year jail term in a 1995 cheating and forgery case. This marks the second NCP minister to resign this year.

US tariff shock to hit Bengal's labour-intensive industries

US tariff shock to hit Bengal's labour-intensive industries

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

The additional 25 per cent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on India is set to deliver a major blow to West Bengal's export-driven economy, with the state's labour-intensive leather, engineering and marine sectors expecting losses ahead of the festive season, stakeholders said. The increased levies on Indian products for the country's purchases of Russian oil came into effect on Wednesday, bringing the total amount of tariff imposed on New Delhi to 50 per cent.

Why IT Firms Face 5-10% Payroll Hike

Why IT Firms Face 5-10% Payroll Hike

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'Companies will need to revisit compensation structures, contracts, staffing models, and human resources system.'

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'Our problem is not a budget deficit but a trust deficit. We need to trust our institutions and industries to innovate and lead. That is the way forward for India.'

Goa Fire Exposes EPFO Oversight Gaps

Goa Fire Exposes EPFO Oversight Gaps

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

'The tragedy underscored 'serious and widespread' weaknesses in the EPFO's monitoring system and its ability to detect and act against defaulting establishments.'

Joblessness slowed to 5.2% in Q2: PLFS data

Joblessness slowed to 5.2% in Q2: PLFS data

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

India's labour market in the second quarter (July-September/Q2) of 2025-26 (FY26) showed resilience, with the jobless rate easing even as more people entered the workforce. However, a rise in youth unemployment and a fall in the share of salaried workers remain areas of concern.

US Fed decision, FIIs trading activity to drive markets this week

US Fed decision, FIIs trading activity to drive markets this week

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

The US Fed's interest rate decision will be the major factor dictating trends in the domestic equity market this week, with global movements and foreign investor activity also influencing sentiment, according to analysts. Stock markets ended the last week on a subdued note, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closing flat.

Garnacho double fires Chelsea into League Cup semis

Garnacho double fires Chelsea into League Cup semis

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Christensen, Rashford on target as Barcelona beat Guadalajara in Copa del Rey

Richest 10% Hold 65% of India's Wealth

Richest 10% Hold 65% of India's Wealth

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

A larger part of India's population was in the middle 40 per cent of the national income share in 1980. Today almost all are in the bottom 50 per cent.

Govt to bring G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA; guarantees 125-day work

Govt to bring G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA; guarantees 125-day work

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

A bill to repeal the MGNREGA and introduce a new rural employment law, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), has been circulated among Lok Sabha members.

Goa fire: Victims' kin want nightclub owner to transport bodies

Goa fire: Victims' kin want nightclub owner to transport bodies

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

Distraught relatives and acquaintances of the nightclub fire victims in Goa gathered outside the morgue of a state-run hospital on Sunday, anxiously awaiting information about their loved ones.

Mexico imposes up to 50% tariff on imports from India and China

Mexico imposes up to 50% tariff on imports from India and China

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Mexico on Thursday imposed a tariff of up to 50 per cent on imports from its non-preferential trade partners, including India, a move that might hit New Delhi's annual $5.75 billion shipments to its third-largest car export market.

Putin's aarti performed in Varanasi

Putin's aarti performed in Varanasi

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

A group in Varanasi organized an 'India-Russia Friendship March' to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his visit to India for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The march highlighted the strong ties between the two nations and expressed hope for strengthened cooperation and global peace.

Pune land deal: HC asks if cops are protecting Parth Pawar

Pune land deal: HC asks if cops are protecting Parth Pawar

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

The Bombay High Court has questioned the police investigation into a land deal, asking why Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, has not been named in the FIR.

HD Hyundai plans shipyard in Thoothukudi for $2 billion

HD Hyundai plans shipyard in Thoothukudi for $2 billion

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

South Korea's HD Hyundai, one of the world's largest ship manufacturers, is planning to build a shipyard in Thoothukudi. The project may see an investment of around $2 billion, said a government source.

Historic! Transgender Teams Debut in Jamshedpur League

Historic! Transgender Teams Debut in Jamshedpur League

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'Football is such a beautiful sport, and for the first time, I felt like I wasn't being seen for my gender, but for my game.'

PIX: Own goals take Arsenal past Wolves; Salah milestone

PIX: Own goals take Arsenal past Wolves; Salah milestone

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Premier League leaders Arsenal needed two own goals, the second deep in stoppage time, to scrape a 2-1 home win over bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers and open a five-point gap, while earlier on Saturday Mohamed Salah put aside a tumultuous week to help Liverpool beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0.

EAC-PM chair calls for raising investment rate

EAC-PM chair calls for raising investment rate

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

India needs to increase the investment rate to 34-35 per cent from 31-32 per cent currently to achieve a growth rate of 7 per cent and above, said S Mahendra Dev, chairman, economic advisory council (EAC) to the Prime Minister, on Wednesday.

Unemployment rate remains steady at 5.2% in October

Unemployment rate remains steady at 5.2% in October

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

The rate of unemployment for those aged 15 and above remained steady at 5.2 per cent in October, according to a government survey released on Monday.

Microsoft to invest $17.5 billion for India's AI-first future: Nadella

Microsoft to invest $17.5 billion for India's AI-first future: Nadella

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Tuesday announced plans to invest $17.5 billion in India to help build infrastructure and sovereign capabilities for the country's AI-first future, marking the third major AI-driven investment in the country in the past two months. Microsoft said that the $17.5 billion (around Rs 1.58 lakh crore) investment builds on the $3 billion (around Rs 26,955 crore) funding announced earlier this year, which the company is on track to spend by the end of CY (calendar year) 2026.

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has launched an integrated audit across 32 states and Union Territories to assess the ease of doing business for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

Why steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is leaving UK

Why steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is leaving UK

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Indian-origin steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, until now based in Britain and a regular on the country's richest billionaires tally, has decided to quit the UK as the Labour Party-led government's feared tax shake-up for the super-rich nears, according to a UK media report on Sunday.

'Educated Youth Voted RJD, Uneducated Youth Voted JD-U'

'Educated Youth Voted RJD, Uneducated Youth Voted JD-U'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'When you compare Bihar's poverty from its earlier times, then there is a huge difference. Things have improved a lot. And migration has played an important role in reducing poverty.'

'A Big Chunk Of India's Office Workers Will End Up Becoming Part Of The Gig Economy'

'A Big Chunk Of India's Office Workers Will End Up Becoming Part Of The Gig Economy'

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

'More and more people from the middle class will become self-employed gig workers mostly working from home, rather than as office workers with salary, promotion, bonuses, etc.'

Trump defends H-1B visa, says US has to bring in global talent

Trump defends H-1B visa, says US has to bring in global talent

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

In what is seen as a U-turn, US President Donald Trump appeared to defend the H-1B visa programme to bring talent from across the world, saying a foreign investor cannot pull people off an unemployment line, who haven't worked in five years, and start making missiles.