Gig workers suffer from lack of social security, regulation, study (GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- Almost a third of app-based cab drivers work for over 14 hours a day, while more than 83% work more than 10 hours and 60% work over 12 hours, according to a study of more than 10,000 Indian cab drivers, gig and platform workers.
- It noted that social disparities make the situation worse, with over 60% of the drivers from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes working for over 14 hours a day, while only 16% from the unreserved category work such long hours.
- The study was conducted by the People’s Association in Grassroots Action and Movements, and the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers, with technical support from the University of Pennsylvania and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung India, a German foundation.
Key Findings:
- Over 43% of participants in the study earn less than ₹500 a day or ₹15,000 a month, after deducting all their costs. It found that 34% of the app-based delivery persons earn less than ₹10,000 a month, while 78% spend over 10 hours each day at work.
- Noting the differences among workers from different castes, the report said that “these income disparities further exacerbate the already existing social inequalities and perpetuate cycles of poverty and distress within these communities”.
- Due to the demanding work hours, the study found that drivers are physically exhausted, and exposed to an increased risk of road traffic accidents, especially due to the ‘10-minute delivery at the doorstep’ policy of certain e-commerce platforms. The lack of social and job security creates additional stress and leads to potential health issues.
- Another major complaint of the workers is the issue of ID deactivation and customer misbehaviour.
Way Forward:
- They recommended stronger social security for app-based workers, and called on the government to exercise oversight on the fairness of algorithms and mechanisms used by platforms to monitor such workers.
7,396 golden langurs in India, reveals survey
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- There are an estimated 7,396 golden langurs in India, the latest survey of the primate has revealed.
- The comprehensive population estimation of the endangered primate was carried out in two phases by the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE), Assam Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), and Conservation Himalayas.
Habitat:
- The entire distribution range of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) covers the Manas Biosphere Reserve and all fragmented forests in the western part of Assam.
- In the first phase during March-April 2020, the survey covered the western part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve, including Ripu Reserved Forest, a major part of it was recently upgraded to Raimona National Park, Chirang Reserve Forest, Manas Reserve Forest, and Manas National Park up to the western bank of the Manas River.
- The second phase during the same months in 2021 focused on fragmented forest habitats of golden langurs in the Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, and Dhubri districts of western Assam.
- The block count method was applied for the first time to assess the abundance, spatial distribution, and densities of the golden langur populations.
Observations:
- They observed 7,720 individuals of golden langurs in 706 unique groups and 31 lone males or floating males.
- Estimating minimum population size, they found there to be 7,396 individuals in 707 groups, inclusive of bisexual and male bands, along with 31 lone males.
- While the Ripu Reserve Forest was home to the most (2,847) northern population golden langurs, Kokrajhar district’s Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary had 838 individuals, the most in the southern fragmented range of the primate.
- The previous population estimation in 2008-09 recorded 6,000 golden langurs in India. Each group then had has average of 9.24 individuals, which was 1,45 individuals less than the average group recorded in the latest survey.
- On the flip side, the survey report underlined an unstable situation in the fragmented habitats of the golden langurs, particularly due to the absence of non-breeding all-male bands.
Way Forward:
- The primatologists involved in the survey highlighted the need for corridor linkage among the fragmented habitats through plantations and canopy bridges to offset potential threats the primates face from anthropogenic interactions.
