Edition: International Table of Contents
Page 01 Syllabus : Prelims Fact | Acemoglu, Johnson and Robinson share Nobel prize on Economics for work on wealth inequality |
Page 04 Syllabus : Prelims Fact | How did the Haber-Bosch process change the world? |
Page 06 Syllabus : GS : 3 : Environment | Stubble burning on the rise in Punjab and Haryana; Delhi’s air quality dips |
Page 10 Syllabus : Prelims Fact | On Samsung workers’ right to unionise |
River In News | Nile River |
Page 08 : Editorial Analysis: Syllabus : GS 3 : Indian Economy | Ensuring a proper social safety net for the gig worker |
Page 01 : Prelims fact
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson for their research linking societal institutions to national prosperity.
- Their work highlights how political and economic systems shape wealth inequality between nations.
Nobel Prize in Economics 2024:
- Research Focus: Their work explores why some nations are wealthier than others by studying political and economic systems, especially those shaped by European colonisation.
- Main Insight: They showed that societal institutions (like political and economic systems) greatly influence a country’s prosperity.
- Income Inequality: The research explains why some countries, despite getting richer, still struggle to close the income gap with wealthier nations.
- Example Used: The city of Nogales, split by the U.S.-Mexico border, where better institutions on the U.S. side lead to more opportunities and prosperity.
- Democracy and Growth: Their findings suggest that countries transitioning from non-democratic to democratic systems experience faster economic growth.
- Famous Books: Daron Acemoglu co-authored Why Nations Fail, a best-seller explaining the origins of wealth and poverty in countries.
Page 04 : Prelims Fact
The news discusses the significance of nitrogen in agriculture and the Haber-Bosch process, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable fertilisers.
- It highlights both the benefits of increased food production and the environmental challenges posed by excessive nitrogen use.
- The importance of combining technology with social and political efforts is emphasised.
Importance of Nitrogen in Agriculture
- Each year, 100 million tonnes of nitrogen are extracted from the atmosphere and turned into fertilisers through the Haber-Bosch process, adding 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the soil.
- Natural biological processes replenish about 100-140 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen annually.
- The Haber-Bosch process is essential for meeting the growing global food demand.
Understanding Nitrogen Molecules
- Nitrogen molecules, mainly in the form of N2, are abundant in the atmosphere, with eight metric tonnes of nitrogen per square metre.
- Nitrogen atoms bond together to form a strong triple bond, making N2 nearly inert and unreactive.
- To be usable by plants, nitrogen must be converted into forms like ammonia (NH3) or nitrates (NO3–), which are crucial for plant growth.
Natural Sources of Reactive Nitrogen
- Natural events like lightning can break the N2 bond, producing nitrogen oxides that form acids and eventually enrich the soil.
- Certain bacteria, such as Azotobacter and Rhizobia, also convert nitrogen into reactive forms.
- The aquatic fern Azolla can similarly absorb and convert nitrogen, providing a natural fertiliser.
The Nitrogen Cycle
- Plants absorb reactive nitrogen from the soil, which is then consumed by humans and animals.
- Nitrogen returns to the soil through excreta and decomposition, but some is lost back into the atmosphere.
- Essential crops like rice and wheat rely on soil nitrogen, which is becoming depleted due to population growth and agricultural demands.
Ammonia Production
- Ammonia (NH3) is created from nitrogen and hydrogen under high heat and pressure.
- The reaction requires careful conditions to produce significant amounts of ammonia.
The Haber-Bosch Process
- The Haber-Bosch process was developed by chemist Fritz Haber and engineers Robert Le Rossignol and Friedrich Kirchenbauer.
- It involved circulating a nitrogen and hydrogen mixture under high pressure and temperature, using catalysts to facilitate ammonia production.
- BASF later scaled this method for industrial production, leading to the establishment of ammonia factories.
Environmental Concerns of Fertilisers
- While the Haber-Bosch process significantly increased food supply and life expectancy, it also poses environmental risks.
- Excessive nitrogen from fertilisers can harm ecosystems, contribute to acid rain, and lead to water pollution.
- While this technology is crucial, it must be combined with political action and social efforts to address food security and environmental issues.
Page 06 : GS : 3 : Environment – Environmental Pollution And Degradation
Stubble burning incidents in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have risen as rice harvesting progresses, contributing to worsening air quality.
- Despite efforts to curb the practice, the fire counts signal a potential spike in pollution in the coming weeks.
Increase In Stubble Burning In Northern States:
- Fire counts in Punjab, indicating stubble burning, have risen to 872 between September 15 and October 13, 2024, compared to 1,230 during the same period last year.
- This marks the lowest fire counts in five years but a sharp increase from 300 on October 7, according to data.
- Union Environment Ministry noted that while stubble burning has declined since 2020, but a spike is expected as rice harvesting progresses.
- Stubble burning in Punjab typically increases in late October and remains high until mid-November.
- Haryana has recorded 468 incidents this year, the highest since 2020.
- Uttar Pradesh has also seen the highest number of incidents in five years, with 398 cases reported so far.
- The Supreme Court criticised the Commission for Air Quality Management for not effectively controlling stubble burning.
- Delhi’s air quality was classified as ‘poor’ on Monday, leading to the implementation of Stage-1 GRAP measures.
Stubble Burning And Pollution In Northern India
- Issues:
- Air Pollution: Stubble burning contributes to severe air pollution in northern India, particularly affecting Delhi and surrounding regions.
- Health Hazards: It causes respiratory issues and worsens conditions for vulnerable populations, leading to public health emergencies.
- Environmental Impact: Burning stubble releases harmful gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to climate change.
- Farmer Challenges: Farmers burn stubble due to the high cost of alternative disposal methods and short time windows between crops.
- Ineffective Enforcement: Despite government measures, enforcement of stubble burning bans remains weak.
Way Forward:
- Subsidies for Alternatives: Provide financial support for eco-friendly methods like mulching, bio-decomposers, and machinery like happy seeders
- Incentivize Residue Sale: Encourage industries to purchase stubble for biofuel and other uses, reducing the need for burning.
- Strengthen Regulations: Improve monitoring and enforcement of stubble burning bans through technology and penalties.
- Awareness Campaigns: Educate farmers on sustainable agricultural practices and the harmful effects of burning.
Page 10 : Prelims Fact
Workers at Samsung India’s Sriperumbudur plant are protesting for their fundamental right to form a registered trade union, seeking collective bargaining rights.
- The Tamil Nadu government responded with a workmen committee and police action, bypassing legal procedures for union registration.
- The protest has highlighted various workers’ rights in India, including union formation and collective bargaining.
Workers’ Rights Highlighted:
- Right to Form a Union:
- Under Article 19(1)(c) of the Indian Constitution, workers have the fundamental right to form associations or trade unions.
- This right allows them to collectively voice grievances, negotiate working conditions, and protect their interests.
- However, restrictions may apply if there are concerns about public order or national security.
- Right to Collective Bargaining:
- Workers can engage in collective bargaining with employers to negotiate wages, working conditions, and employment terms.
- This is recognized under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, which facilitates conciliation and mediation in case of negotiation failures, fostering fair and democratic work agreements.
- Right to Strike:
- Workers can legally strike to protest against unfair labour practices, although it is not an absolute right.
- The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 imposes conditions, such as notice periods and prohibitions during certain conciliation processes.
- Strikes serve as a tool for collective action to demand better rights.
- Immunity from Civil and Criminal Action:
- Registered trade unions under the Trade Unions Act, 1926, are protected from civil and criminal liability.
- This immunity ensures that workers and unions are not penalised for peaceful actions taken in the pursuit of their rights, promoting fair advocacy for worker welfare.
- Right to Political Expression:
- Trade unions are allowed to engage in political activities under the Trade Unions Act, 1926.
- They can set up a separate fund for civic and political purposes, which can be used to promote the interests of workers, including supporting candidates in elections or engaging in political dialogue.
River In News : Nile River
A regional partnership involving 10 countries has ratified an agreement on the equitable use of Nile River resources, despite Egypt’s opposition.
- This agreement on the equitable use of Nile River resources has come into effect immediately.
- This move aims to address water resource management amid rising tensions linked to Ethiopia’s controversial dam project on the Blue Nile.
Analysis of the news:
- Countries that have ratified the accord include Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania.
- Egypt and Sudan have not signed the agreement, while Congo abstained; Kenya has not submitted its ratification documents.
- The Nile Basin Initiative hailed the accord as a collective effort for sustainable water use, beneficial for future generations.
- Ongoing tensions are exacerbated by Ethiopia’s $4 billion dam project on the Blue Nile, raising concerns for Egypt’s water and irrigation supply.
About Nile River
- Location: The Nile River is one of the longest rivers in the world, flowing approximately 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles) through northeastern Africa.
- Source: It has two major tributaries: the White Nile, originating from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile, starting at Lake Tana in Ethiopia.
- Countries: The river flows through 11 countries, including Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt, before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
- Economic Importance: The Nile is crucial for agriculture, providing water for irrigation in otherwise arid regions.
- Environmental Concerns: Issues include pollution, dam construction, and water disputes among riparian countries.
Page : 08 Editorial Analysis
Context :
- The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is drafting a national law to incorporate gig workers into social security schemes, offering benefits such as health insurance and retirement savings.
- The government is expected to require aggregators to contribute 1%-2% of their revenue to establish a social security fund, which would provide health insurance and other benefits.
- The government is also revising the definitions of gig and migrant workers to make them more inclusive and reflective of current employment realities.
Overview of the proposed legislation
- Registration: It mandates the registration of all gig workers and requires aggregators to, with valid reasons before termination, while ensuring transparency in automated systems.
- Resolutions: Dispute resolution mechanisms will also be introduced to protect gig workers’ rights.
- Role of aggregators: The Labour Minister also pointed out that aggregator companies that employ gig and platform workers will be asked to take the lead in registering their workers on the portal.
- Portal details: Workers registered on the Labour Ministry’s e-Shram portal are eligible for life and accidental insurance, along with other benefits.
Labour codes
- Background on labour codes: In this context, it can be mentioned that India formulated four new labour codes in 2019 and 2020.
- These codes essentially simplified and rationalised existing labour laws and enabled 29 central labour laws to be merged into four broad codes: namely,
- wage, social security, industrial relations, and occupational safety, health, and working conditions.
- Inclusion of Gig and platform workers: The only code where gig and platform workers found mention is the Social Security Code 2020.
- In this code, gig and platform workers are perceived as a subset of informal sector workers.
- Provisions for social security: Accordingly, the said code provided for the formulation of social security schemes for gig and platform workers by the central government.
- Further, like informal workers, gig workers ought to register themselves under the e-Shram portal through self-declaration.
- These codes essentially simplified and rationalised existing labour laws and enabled 29 central labour laws to be merged into four broad codes: namely,
Worker definition
- The issue arises from the definition of gig workers in the Social Security Code 2020, which places them outside the traditional employer-employee relationship.
- This is problematic since many gig employers, as in some of the well-known companies, operate as formal entities within the formal sector.
- The exclusion of gig workers from the traditional employment framework is the crux of the problem.
Ambiguity in employment relations
- Demystifying relations: It is a deliberate ploy on the part of the “aggregator” to demystify employment relations in gig and platform economies such that the application of existing labour laws get pre-empted.
- Ambiguity: In a gig economy, employment relations remain ambiguous and workers are categorised as independent workers or contractors.
- Misconceptions and deception: Such camouflaging of employment relations leads to the misconception that the gig worker is an independent worker.
- The Social Security Code 2020 accepts this deception and includes gig workers as part of the informal sector.
- The Code does not decipher the real employment relation in the gig and employment economy.
Differences in social security coverage
- Also, there is a huge difference in terms of entitlement between institutional social security and social security schemes.
- For example, formal workers get 26 weeks of paid leave along with job security for the entire period of maternity under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. This is part of institutional social security coverage.
- Under social security schemes, for maternity benefits, there is a cash benefit such as ₹5,000-₹10,000 given to registered informal workers.
- The gap between an institutional social security and a social security scheme in terms of entitlement is very clearly evident.
Limitations of the Social Security Code 2020
- The Social Security Code 2020: sets to provide gig workers with only certain social security schemes but not institutional social security.
- Institutional protection: forms such as minimum wage protection are missing for gig workers.
- Lack of safety standards: Occupational safety and health regulations do not apply for gig workers.
- No inclusion: Gig workers are not included under the Industrial Relations Code 2020 and are not covered under the dispute resolution mechanism provided thereunder.
Need for clear employment relation definition
- The cornerstone of protection under labour laws is the explicit employment relation.
- This is what is not defined for gig work in the Indian context.
- Pieces of legislation introduced in recent times in States such as Rajasthan and Karnataka also suffer from this particular lacunae.
The core issue
- Defining the employer -employee relationship: If the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is serious about protecting the interests of an ever increasing number of gig workers in the country, it should define the employment relation in gig and platform in an explicit manner.
- Remove the veil created by so-called “aggregators”: By recognising “aggregators” as employer and reclaiming explicit employment relation in gig work is the key factor.
- Supporting cases: An important precedent here is the ruling by the U.K. Supreme Court on the Uber case in 2021 — Uber was deemed to be an employer, Uber drivers as “workers” and Uber asked to honour the prevailing labour laws of the land.
Way forward
- Need for inclusion: Once the employment relationship is clearly defined, gig workers can be included under the proposed four labour codes, eliminating the need for separate legislation.
- The welfare board model: as suggested by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has shown limited effectiveness in the past, particularly with construction workers, who were also classified as informal despite working for formal employers.
- Clarifying the employment relationship in gig work would further promote the formalisation of workers in this sector.
Conclusion
- Moreover, the entire labour code was designed for simplification and rationalisation. Introducing separate laws for specific workforce segments undermines this goal. The crucial step is to acknowledge the employment relationship in gig work. Once this issue is resolved, everything else will fall into place.