Unemployment main concern for business executives globally: WEF survey

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Unemployment main concern for business executives globally: WEF survey

Unemployment is the major concern for business executives globally, according to a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey on Thursday.

The interactive map on ‘Regional Risks for Doing Business 2020’ shows the fiscal crisis which was the top concern in 2019 has now slipped to the third position.

“Infectious diseases progressed 28 spots and are the second most recurring risk, appearing in the top 10 in all regions except South Asia,” the WEF said in a statement.

“While the top risks are mostly related to economics, climate-related risks are causing greater concern this year, with natural catastrophes (up to seven places), extreme weather events (up to five), biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse (up to eight) and failure of climate change adaptation (up to two) featuring more prominently.”

Other significant changes include human-made environmental catastrophes (down six), failure of urban planning (down seven), and terrorist attacks (down nine).

“The employment disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, rising automation and the transition to greener economies are fundamentally changing labor markets,” Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director at the WEF, was quoted as saying in the statement.

“As we emerge from the crisis, leaders have a remarkable opportunity to create new jobs, support living wages, and reimagine social safety nets to adequately meet the challenges in the labor markets of tomorrow.”

The findings of the ‘Regional Risks for Doing Business 2020’ are based on 12,012 responses from business leaders in 127 countries.

The respondents were presented with a core list of 30 global risks and asked to select “the five global risks that you believe to be of most concern for doing business in your country within the next 10 years”.

Amazon creates over 1 lakh jobs ahead of festive season

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Amazon creates over 1 lakh jobs ahead of festive season

Amazon India on Wednesday said that it has created more than 1 lakh seasonal job opportunities across its operations network in the country ahead of the festive season.

The new associates will join Amazon’s existing network of associates and support them to pick, pack, ship and deliver customers’ orders safely and efficiently, the company said in a statement.

“The new seasonal positions will help elevate its delivery experience and boost the company’s fulfilment and delivery capabilities to meet the surge in customer demand this festive season,” it said.

The company has also generated tens of thousands of indirect opportunities through its partner networks such as its trucking partners, packaging vendors, ‘I Have Space’ delivery partners, Amazon Flex partners and housekeeping agencies among many others to support the exponential demand during this period.

The latest announcement, the company said, is in line with its commitment to create 10 lakh new job opportunities in India by 2025 through continued investments in technology, infrastructure, and its logistics network.

“This festive season, we are looking forward to serving customers in every part of the country by providing fast, safe and a more seamless ecommerce experience to them from the safety of their homes. This year, more than 1,00,000 seasonal associates will join us to fulfil customer promises,” said Akhil Saxena, Vice President – APAC, MENA and LATAM Customer Fulfilment Operations, Amazon India.

Video course in spoken English for UP teachers

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Video course in spoken English for UP teachers

A special video course in spoken English will now help more than 1.6 lakh teachers in government-run primary and upper primary schools in Uttar Pradesh to improve their pronunciation and teaching skills.

The video course has been designed by experts at the English Language Teaching Institute (ELTI) in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

Teachers of government-run primary and upper primary schools will be given online training through this course. It will be mandatory for language teachers of schools to attend the course online. ELTI will also make its spoken English videos available on its YouTube channel.

ELTI Principal Skand Shukla said the initiative is aimed at improving educational standards.

“The course comprises 120 modules, each of nearly 10 to 12 minutes duration. The full course is nearly 24 hours and will soon be available through the ‘Diksha’ portal of the Union Ministry of Education for teachers,” he added.

The course has been designed by ELTI after studying such courses already available in the private sector, he said.

Experts at ELTI saw that none of the currently available courses could provide the required knowledge of English language along with practice in speaking for teachers, Shukla added.

Unemployment key issue in Bihar polls

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Unemployment key issue in Bihar polls

No party is leaving anything to chance to win the Bihar assembly elections to be held in October-November this year. All parties are vociferously making several poll promises to entice the voters.

With the announcement of the poll dates, the ruling Janata Dal (United) supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reached out to people with the electoral promises made by his party while the leader of the main opposition party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Tejashwi Yadav has also come out with his party’s poll promises. Both parties are specially eyeing the unemployed youth.

The JD(U) and the RJD have been in power in Bihar for 15 years each.

Nitish Kumar promised to work under the ‘seven commandments part-2′ after returning to power. Under the ‘Yuva Shakti Bihar Ki Pragati’ programme he promised to train the youth of the state to prepare them for jobs.

Nitish Kumar promised to connect more and more youth with the Kaushal Vikas Yojana (Skill Development Scheme) and to set up a mega skilling centre in each district along with a new department for skill and entrepreneurship. The Chief Minister assured that this time all necessary support for entrepreneurship would be provided to the youth.

The RJD leaders also did not lag behind in the political race. Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday told journalists that within two months of coming to power he would provide 10 lakh people with government jobs.

Citing data showing vacant posts in government departments, Tejashwi said that if the RJD comes to power then in the first cabinet meeting it will be decided to provide employment to 10 lakh youths.

“If people give my party a chance to come to power then all the vacant posts in government departments will be filled,” he added.

The opposition parties are raising several questions over the poll promises made by leaders of the RJD and the JD(U). When in power they did not work to fulfil the aspirations of the people, they alleged.

Political analyst Ajay Kumar said announcements and promises by parties before elections were not a new phenomenon. It has been happening earlier as well.

“Many migrant workers have returned home during the corona pandemic but the Opposition has been making unemployment the core issue for the past few months. To counter the Opposition, the ruling party is forced to make employment promises,” Kumar added.

He said both the JD(U) and the RJD have been in power for 15 years each. If sincere efforts had been made on the issue of unemployment, the situation would have been vastly different.

Flipkart to create 70,000 direct jobs this festive season

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Flipkart to create 70,000 direct jobs this festive season

Flipkart on Tuesday said it will help generate over 70,000 direct and lakhs of indirect seasonal jobs this festive season.

The direct jobs will be across supply chain — delivery executives, pickers, packers, and sorters — while there will be additional indirect jobs at Flipkart’s seller partner locations and kiranas, the company said in a statement.

“We are focused on creating impactful partnerships that offer great consumer experience while creating additional opportunities for the progress of the entire ecosystem as it scales for the Big Billion Days (BBD),” said Amitesh Jha, Senior Vice-President, Ekart and Marketplace, Flipkart.

Flipkart said that onboarding of more than 50,000 kiranas for the last-mile delivery will also create thousands of seasonal jobs to deliver millions of packages.

“By generating employment and enabling our sellers to scale their businesses during this time, we’re doing our part to drive growth in the industry and the economy,” Jha said.

Flipkart is undertaking training programs for its direct hires in various aspects of the supply chain through a mix of classroom and digital training, enhancing their understanding of supply chain management.

The company said it is now enabling customers to get their GSTIN on their invoices, thereby allowing them to claim the input tax credit on their purchases.

“The capability to allow GSTIN on their invoices will help millions of business entities – to claim the input tax credit on their business-related purchases, saving up to 28 percent on their purchases,” the eCommerce leader said.

Job losses weighing heavy on expats’ minds: Official

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Job losses weighing heavy on expats’ minds: Official

The thought of returning home from abroad after losing jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a key concern for Indian expatriates, said Shubham Singh, Protector of Emigrants for Karnataka and Goa region.

“The major issues faced by emigrants during the pandemic relate to job losses, often because their employers have shut down businesses, and safe return to India. These are primary concerns of a large number of emigrants,” Singh told IANS.

“In most cases, their employers and recruitment agencies aid and assist affected individuals to return to India. In some cases, if the recruitment agency refuses to do so, we can step in and ensure that the agencies do the needful. We work along with the Embassies concerned to facilitate their safe return to India if they so wish,” he said.

The POE functions under the Emigration Act, 1983, with an objective to protect the interest of and aid and advice Indian emigrants going abroad or presently working abroad, and is also responsible for granting emigration clearance to prospective emigrants as per the procedure.

Singh said that one of the mandates of his agency was to track down and probe illegal overseas recruitment agencies, which dupe aspiring emigrants seeking green pastures abroad.

And Goa, the top official said, also had its share of unregistered agents, many of whom are under investigation.

“There are eight registered recruitment agencies in Goa. We are presently investigating complaints received against 32 unregistered agencies and individuals in Goa,” Singh said.

“In my experience working as Protector of Emigrants, the common cases of fraud are related to payments made by candidates to overseas recruitment agencies but failed to receive any job offers. Or instances wherein a specific job position or salary was promised by the recruitment agency, but a candidate learns on arrival at his or her overseas destination that the job profile or salary is not as promised,” he said.

Goa Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena, Singh said, had assured to work closely with the POE to track down fraud agents in the state.

Goa has a large ex-pat population working mainly in the oil-rich Middle East as well as onboard cruise liners, he said while adding that there has been a line of outreach for emigrants headed for or residing in that region.

“We advise people that they should be aware of local laws of the land where they are looking to seek employment. They should also acquaint themselves and be aware of their rights as Indian citizens and that they can approach the offices of the POE for any grievances they may have which will be taken up with the offices concerned,” he said.

JGU commences academic year 2020-21 with 50% increase in admissions

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JGU commences academic year 2020-21 with 50% increase in admissions

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) announced the commencement of the new academic session 2020-21 for the first-year students on September 1 with a record number of new admissions.

JGU said 2,500 new students join JGU in the new academic year with an overall 50 percent rise in admissions this year.

This is an unprecedented moment as the education sector has been severely disrupted by the Covid-19 global pandemic. It has been JGU’s endeavor to ensure uninterrupted learning for its students who have joined the university during the pandemic, a statement said.

Earlier, JGU had already begun the new academic session for its existing students on August 17 and classes are underway in the online mode.

JGU said it is committed to ensuring quality and continuity across all its academic programs while ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all its students, faculty, and staff.

This year, JGU has launched several new undergraduate and postgraduate programs across its nine schools with options for pursuing Humanities fellowships to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Legal Studies, Environmental Studies, Design, Political Science, Economics, and Social Policy.

Over 600 faculty members to teach online using the latest tech platforms and students from nearly all the states and union territories of India have joined JGU.

International students from several countries including, Ireland, Malaysia, Nepal, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America have taken admission to JGU this year.

C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, said, “We have been deeply concerned about the future of our students and the associated safety and health concerns during this COVID-19 global pandemic. These are extraordinary times when the world of higher education and universities have been challenged by the pandemic. I am delighted to share with you that the admissions process of all the schools of JGU was completed smoothly and successfully in an Online and Remote-Proctored entrance exam format.”

“This has only proved that our early decision to go fully online, completely eliminating any face-to-face interaction in the entrance examination process, was the best and indeed the safest option. We were conscious of the inherent safety, security, and well-being of the students, their family members, and their concerns relating to health became paramount in our decision to implement the AI-Enabled, Remote-Proctored entrance exams. We began the new academic session for our existing students on 17th August and are commencing the classes for the new students on 1st September and look forward to welcoming the best talent to our classrooms,” he said.

Hemant Soren writes to Centre to postpone JEE, NEET exams

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Hemant Soren writes to Centre to postpone JEE, NEET exams

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has written to Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to postpone the IIT-JEE and NEET examinations.

“Both these competitive examinations are extremely critical in the career of a student as the success or otherwise in these examinations would decide the course of their future life. Every examinee would thus try to put his best foot forward and, therefore, it is extremely essential to ensure that they take these examinations in an environment of health safety and mental peace,” said the letter.

The letter said, “The people of the country are engaged in combating once in a century disaster of Covid-19, which has affected millions and left thousands dead. This pandemic has an additional negative consequence of widespread economic disruption. Due to the health scare as well as the economic disruption, there is a widespread prevalence of psychological stress among the people.

“Moreover, the conduct of examination of this scale would require public transport and hospitality units, including hotels, lodges, and restaurants to function smoothly and optimally because of the movement of large numbers of examinees and their guardians.

“As part of its strategy to combat Covid-19, the Government of Jharkhand has not yet commenced public bus transport nor it has allowed the opening of restaurants. It is noteworthy that these restrictions have been imposed to check the spread of coronavirus. Thus the examinees and their guardians will have to face serious logistics issues.”

The Chief Minister wrote, “There will be also some examinees whose residence would be located in the containment zone. As a result of which it would be difficult for them to move out of the area. There may be a case in which the examinee or his family member is infected with coronavirus and in all these cases it would be difficult for the examinee to appear for the examination”.

While concluding the letter, the Chief Minister said, “Since there is no way to detect and prevent an infected person from appearing in the examination, it would, therefore, put the rest of the examinees and invigilators in a particular examination hall at the risk of being infected as well. Since comorbidity amongst the examinees cannot be ruled out, acquiring infection by morbid examinees may be life-threatening. I would earnestly request you kindly consider postponing both examinations in the public interest”.

78% parents ready to skip a year of schooling: Survey

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78% parents ready to skip a year of schooling: Survey

COVID-19 continues to upend schooling around the globe, with millions of parents and children resorting to online education. According to a new survey, 78 percent of parents are not willing to send their children to school till the pandemic is over, and it is safe for them to step out, even if their children have to miss a year of school for their safety.

According to “Kids Under COVID”, a research study and survey by online edutainment company SP Robotic Works, parents in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and mini-metros are even more concerned as between 82-86 percent are unwilling to take any risk with the children. Chennai and Kolkata are the only exceptions among the major cities where the ratio of parents that are willing to take chances with sending their children to school is higher than the national average.

The study, conducted over the months of July and August, surveyed 3,600 parents and an equal number of children in the age group of 7-17 years.

The new survey reveals that parents’ profession plays a significant role in their response. Salaried parents are the most protective, with only 17 percent willing to send their children to school as soon as the schools reopen. In contrast, 30 percent of self-employed and 56 percent of freelance workers are likely to send their children to school immediately after they open.

64 percent of parents and children have no appreciation for online schooling

With a sudden transition to online learning and prolonged screen time with no outdoor play and limited social interaction, the long term impact on children’s mental and physical health remains dubious.

While most schools have successfully transitioned to online, the model is found to be less effective with over two-third of children preferring to learn in the classroom. Interestingly, children, as well as the parents in smaller cities and non-metros, seem to prefer online learning compared to those in metros, except Bengaluru.

Coding over toys

The study found that at least 29 percent of the kids are learning coding/robotics on online platforms. Though the majority of children are missing outdoor activities, new interests and hobbies have taken over. The online school takes up a good part of the day.

Loss in concentration and disturbed sleeping

Children are also the recipients of stricter rules of isolation as education can wait. They are feeling the frustration of being confined to the four walls. Nearly 50 percent are experiencing disturbed sleeping patterns. Amongst the 40 percent who are scared of the situation, 61 percent have experienced a drop in concentration levels. A deep dive into the sleep routines, screen time, physical activity, concentration, food habits, and more, say findings.

Girls dream entrepreneurship

Amongst some other interesting insights, the survey brings to light a never-before-seen affinity towards entrepreneurship among girls. Amongst the choices for dream jobs, 15 percent of girls aspire to become entrepreneurs when they grow up, a higher percentage than boys. Entrepreneurship is second only to the fancy of becoming a doctor.

6 ministers of non-BJP ruled states move SC seeking review of its NEET-JEE order

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6 ministers of non-BJP ruled states move SC seeking review of its NEET-JEE order

Six ministers of opposition ruled states — West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand — have jointly filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging its August 17 order declining to entertain pleas seeking postponement of NEET-JEE exams slated in September in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic.

The petition has been filed through advocate Sunil Fernandes and it contends the top court’s order to “secure the safety, security, and right to life of the students — candidates appearing for the NEET/JEE exams.”

The petition argues that the top court has ignored the teething logistical difficulties in conducting the examinations at the proposed dates.

“Failed to balance the competing but equally important aspects of conducting the examination and securing the safety of the student. Fails to ensure that mandatory safeguards are put in place during the conducting of the examinations,” said the petition challenging the August 17 order.

“The advice of ‘Life Must Go On’ may have sounded very philosophical underpinnings but cannot be a substitute for valid legal reasoning and logical analysis of the various aspects involved in the conduct of the NEET (UG) and JEE exams,” argued the petitioners.

The petitioners said the apex court failed to appreciate that the Centre had adequate time to establish at least one center for every district for NEET (UG) and JEE (Mains) rather than having several centers in one district.

“Having at least one center per district would have minimized the inter-district long travel of the students and thereby reduced the chances of Covid-19 spread,” argued the petitioners.

The petitioners contended that if the August 17 order is not reviewed then grave and irreparable harm and injury would befall on the student community of the country and it will impact the health, welfare, and safety of the students/candidates appearing for the NEET/JEE examinations.

“With regards to the second reason of losing a year, it is most respectfully submitted that this would be tantamount to putting the cart before the horse, as the submissions hereinabove have revealed.

“The Review Petitioners too do not desire for the students to lose an academic year, but wish to balance their health, safety and security and that of their family with not losing the current academic year,” said the petition.

The Petitioner number one is Moloy Ghatak — Minister-in-Charge, Department of Labour & E.S.I. (MB) Scheme and Departments of Law & Judicial, Government of West Bengal.

Petitioner number two is Dr. Rameshwar Oraon — Cabinet Minister of Finance, Government of Jharkhand.

Petitioner number three is Dr. Raghu Sharma — Cabinet Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Rajasthan.

Petitioner number four is Amarjeet Bhagat — Minister of Food, Civil supplies, Culture, Planning, Economics & Statistics, Government of Chhattisgarh.

Petitioner number five is Balbir Singh Sidhu — Cabinet Minister Health and Family Welfare & Labour, Government of Punjab.

Petitioner number six is Uday Ravindra Samant — Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra.

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