26 July 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. The Karnataka Bill is a symptom of a larger problem
(Source – The Hindu, Editorial- Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Polity |
| Context |
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Analysis of the news:
Controversy Surrounding the Bill
- The Karnataka government passed ‘The Karnataka state Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024’, with aim to address the employment issues of the locals within the private sector.
- However, the Karnataka Reservation Bill has been widely criticized and generated controversy, forcing the State government to pause and issue assurances.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- The Karnataka government mandating 75 per cent reservation in non-management jobs and 50 per cent in management Jobs for local candidates.
Underlying Issues
- Apart from the controversy there is need a deeper conversation on India’s jobs crisis and regional socio-economic disparities which needs to be addressed.
- India is fastest growing large economy and has the largest youth population which requires growth model with large numbers of jobs to productively employ its youth but, the high-end services-led growth model has delinked growth and employment.
Global Trends and Indian Context
- Global trends such as globalization, financialization, and technological advances have allowed capital and a small set of highly-skilled individuals to reap extraordinary benefits, while the working class sees an erosion in their ability to earn.
- However,the situation in India is different and more complicated, with the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of movement and the right to work anywhere in India.
Tension between Local Aspirations and National Unity
- Local reservations aim to address local aspirations, but may evoke parochialism and militate against national unity.
- This tension is a recurring theme in Indian politics, visible in devolution of funds, delimitation, and State domicile requirements.
Issue of federalism and political accountability
- The politics of local reservation initiatives is driven by mass unskilled jobs, not high-skill positions.
- All local reservation initiatives adopt a graded scale, with near universal reservation for unskilled jobs and at lower levels for higher skill tiers raising two critical questions:
1. What drives large-scale migration for unskilled jobs that could be done locally?
2. Why does industry opposition to local reservation focus on unskilled jobs, indicating a preference for migrant workers?
Answers of above mentioned two questions
- Large-scale unskilled migration is often distress migration due to lack of development in some regions.
- Industries prefer migrant workers for unskilled jobs as they are less likely to form unions and can be exploited.
Way Forward
- A national debate is needed to address India’s job crisis.
- Political accountability is required for distress migration and lack of development.
- An institutional response is needed for federalism and national unity.
- The corporate sector must be held accountable for working standards for unskilled labor.
