MUMBAI: In a significant move to bolster employment opportunities and skill development in India, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TeamLease EdTech to create new career pathways for university learners. The MoU was formalized in New Delhi today in the presence of Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Smt. Sushri Shobha Karandlaje. Representing TeamLease EdTech at the signing was Shri. Jaideep Kewalramani, COO and Head of Employability Business.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “The National Career Service (NCS) portal is evolving into a comprehensive platform for accessing employment opportunities across various sectors. Our collaboration with TeamLease EdTech introduces work-linked degree programs that integrate academic learning with practical hands-on experience; this shall go a long way in enhancing the employability of our youth and aligning education.”

Smt. Sushri Karandlaje added, “By incorporating work-linked programs into the NCS portal, we are creating pathways for students to gain in-demand skills through degree programs that include internships. This initiative not only addresses the skills gap but also helps prepare a workforce that meets the needs of today’s industries.”

With over two decades of pioneering workforce solutions, TeamLease EdTech has built a robust ecosystem that supports the employability journey of millions across India. Known for providing jobs to crores of youth, the TeamLease Group has become a leader in connecting education to employment. This legacy is underscored by TeamLease EdTech’s extensive partnerships with over 65 government and private universities, empowering the youth with critical, industry-aligned skills. Through this collaboration, TeamLease EdTech will bring around 200 work-linked degree programs to the NCS portal, each with embedded internships that provide over 500,000 hands-on learning opportunities. Leveraging its digital platform, Digivarsity (www.digivarsity.com), TeamLease EdTech will make live internship opportunities accessible to students nationwide through the NCS platform, creating pathways that bridge skill gaps and prepare a job-ready workforce aligned with India’s evolving job market.

This collaboration will enable the NCS portal to offer TeamLease EdTech’s work-linked programs(In line with NEP 2020 and UGC’s guidelines to promote apprenticeship/internship embedded degree programs ), designed to combine academic coursework with internships, providing students with hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills. The partnership aims to create over 500,000 job-ready individuals within the next year by equipping them with skills that are critical across sectors. Leveraging TeamLease Edtech’s extensive experience in youth education and employment, this partnership aims to reach a diverse and expansive audience through structured, scalable programs. TeamLease EdTech shall also set up Digivarsity Career Lounges in the NCS Model Career Centers; these lounges shall provide counseling assistance to walk-in students.

Shri. Kewalramani affirmed the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, “At TeamLease EdTech, we are committed to bridging the gap between education and employability. Our work-linked degree programs are designed to provide students with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in today’s competitive job market. By collaborating with the Ministry of Labour & Employment and utilizing the NCS portal, we can reach a broader audience and make a significant impact on employability in India.“

The NCS portal, operational since July 2015, has been instrumental in connecting job seekers with employers and providing a range of employment-related services. This partnership with TeamLease EdTech marks a strategic enhancement of the portal’s offerings, aligning educational programs with the evolving needs of the labor market and fostering a more skilled and employable workforce.

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The ISC 2024 was inaugurated today 29th February 2024, the chief guest was Dr. C D Mayee, former Chairman, of the Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board and a renowned scientist in the field of Agriculture. The Guest of Honour was Dr A K Singh, Vice Chancellor of CSA University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Shree  Ajeet Mulay, Convener of National Organizing Committee of ISC 2024 welcomed all the guests, other dignitaries, and delegates He also gave a brief background of the deliberation which will take place during the two-day event. Dr B B Pattanaik, General Secretary of NSAI briefly informed the audience on the various activities undertaken by NSAI to support the Indian seed industry.

Dr M Prabhakar Rao, President NSAI made a detailed presentation on the present status and prospects of the Indian Seed industry starting from the green revolution to the present period of Amritkal. He lauded the role of the seed industry in the development of Indian Agriculture and the Indian Economy. He indicated that with India setting itself to boost its economy to 7 trillion USD by 2030 and 10 trillion USD by 2034, the seed industry also has the potential to grow to 7 billion USD if we can focus and aim for 1 billion USD export. He also gave a perspective view of the future developments and emerging technologies that would need to be integrated with seed research and development to harness their full potential. Dr Rao also presented a matrix to set the priority of the seed sector for the new era.

Guest of Honour, Dr AK Singh mentioned that Indian Agriculture has gone through tremendous transformation exhibiting outstanding growth in several crops, particularly, the horticultural crops. Still, there was huge potential to be tapped for boosting the production to a level where we ensure our domestic food and nutritional security and also tap the growing export market. Dr Singh was of the view that good quality seeds alone were capable of pioneering this transformation and hoped that the deliberations during the ISC would set a direction for this initiative. 

Chief Guest Dr C D Mayee appreciated the visionary presentation by President NSAI and hoped that under his leadership the Seed industry was going to achieve new heights in the days to come. Dr. Mayee emphasized the use of new technology to be used in the area where we are facing constraints, particularly, concerning the increasing labor problems in agriculture which could be tackled by the mechanization and adaptation of new technology tools. Extensive use of digital technologies in agriculture has to be explored to address the difficult areas of agricultural development. Dr. Mayee suggested that we must target the new genetic tools and technologies for improvements in the production/productivity of crops where we have shortages, particularly, the oilseeds like mustard, soybean, and groundnut and also several pulses.

Shri Vaibhav R Kashikar, Treasurer NSAI summarized the 12-year journey of ISC which has made a significant contribution towards giving shape to the Indian Seed Industry, and presented the vote of thanks to all distinguished guests, sponsors delegated and all others associated with the organization with event.

The ISC 2024 which will continue on 29th February and 1st March 2024 has been organized into six Technical Sessions that address emerging topics having an impact on the Indian Seed industry to be discussed in detail by the best subject matter experts invited from national/international institutions, about seeds.  Exhibition stalls have also been set up to showcase the latest technology and products by the seed companies and trading tables to provide a platform for business negotiations and promotion of seed trade.

The two-day event would enable comprehensive deliberations and discussions on scientific, technological, regulatory, and business developments which are going to be the core attraction of ISC 2024.

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PUNE: Regarding the labor force as the backbone of the construction industry, CREDAI Pune Metro along with Pride Group presented the third edition of the ‘Best Facility Award’  to the developers that ensure the safety and welfare of the workforce (laborers) at their construction sites in an award ceremony that recently took place at the Sheraton Grand, Bund Garden.

Dignitaries like Madhuri Misal; MLA, Government of Maharashtra, Shailendra Pol; Addl. Commissioner of Labour Department Pune, Abhay Gite; Dy. Commissioner of Labour Department, Ranjit Naiknavare; President, Arvind Jain; Vice President and Ashwin Trimal; Secretary of CREDAI Pune Metro, J P Shroff; Chairman KUSHAL and Member of the Managing Committee, Pramod Khairnar Patil; President CREDAI-Maharashtra, Krishnakumar Goyal; Entrepreneur, Sapna Rathi; Convenor, Labour Welfare Committee, Milind Talathi, and Parag Patil; Co-Convenors Labour Welfare Committee and others were also present at the event.

The ‘Best Facility Awards’ were divided into three categories based on the labor count at sites – 21 to 100, 101 to 300, and 300 plus respectively, and were honored in the form of a trophy, certificate, and cash. Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation (PCERF) was the knowledge partner for the ‘Best Facility Awards 2023’ and the expert panel of the jury members for the same was from PCERF.

The first prize (gold) was bagged by S J Contracts Pvt. Ltd for Poonawala Towers in Category 1, Panchshil Realty for Vantage Tower along with S J Contractor for S J Pebbles Greenfield in Category 2, Pride Builders LLP for Pride World City along with S J Contractor for Amar Pristine 4 in Category 3. The second prize (silver) was shared by Rohan Builders and Developers Pvt. Ltd for Rohan Nidita and Koltepatil Integrated Township Ltd. for Life Republic in Category 1, Vilas Javdekar Developers Pvt. Ltd. for Yashone Eternitee in Category 2, Rohan Builders and Developers Pvt. Ltd. for Abhilasha Phase 2 in Category 3.

Special Category Awards were also presented on the occasion. Pegasus Properties Pvt. Ltd.’s project Megapolis and Mangalam Landmark LLP’s project Mangalam Breeze received the Max BOCW Registration Award, VTP Realty’s project VTP Bellisimo received the Health and Hygiene Award, K Raheja Corporation’s project Raheja Vistas received the Skill Development Award, Pride Purple Infrastructure’s project Park District received the Safety Award, Legacy Lifespaces LLP’s project Legacy Kairos received the Innovation Award, Atharva Enterprises’ project Truspace Prima Angulus received the Women Worker Welfare Award and Ashiana Housing Ltd.’s project Ashiana Malhar received the Creche Facility Award.

Speaking on the occasion, Madhuri Misal said, “Builders and developers should take responsibility for providing appropriate and adequate facilities to the workforce (laborers) at their workplace, which in turn can change the overall picture of a construction site. Considering the needs of skilled laborers, it is equally important to focus on their skill development. Today, laborers hailing from other states come to Maharashtra for work. Then in such cases, efforts must be taken to create more and more skilled laborers in the State.”

Shailendra Pol expressed that the Labour Department is taking promising steps for the welfare of the workforce (laborers) working with CREDAI. He also urged the builders and developers to take the initiative to organize more such programs and consider ensuring the labor’s benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana by the Central Government.

“As builders and developers, we must not forget that our workforce is the strongest pillar of our sector, and they should be treated with dignity,” shared Ranjit Naiknavare as he highlighted the purpose behind the Awards, which was to honor the laborers and engineers at the construction sites.

J P Shroff made the introductory remarks and Sapna Rathi briefed about the processes and various categories of the Awards. Ashwin Trimal proposed the Vote of Thanks.

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The MOU builds on the FTC’s recent efforts to increase collaboration on issues facing workers, including the FTC’s recent MOU with the National Labor Relations Board as well as the FTC’s enforcement policy statement related to gig work. The agreement enables the FTC and DOL to closely collaborate by sharing information, conducting cross-training for staff at each agency, and partnering on investigative efforts within each agency’s authority.

“This agreement with the Department of Labor is part of our whole-of-government effort to protect workers from unlawful business practices,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “Deepening our partnership with DOL will ensure that we can work collectively to tackle illegal conduct that suppresses wages, reduces access to good benefits and working conditions, and stifles economic liberty for workers across the economy.“

The MOU identifies areas of mutual interest for the two agencies, including collusive behavior, the use of business models designed to evade legal accountability, illegal claims and disclosures about earnings and costs associated with work, the imposition of one-sided and restrictive contract provisions, the extent and impact of labor market concentration, and the impact of algorithmic decision-making on workers.

The agreement is part of a broader FTC initiative to use the agency’s full authority, including enforcement actions and Commission rulemaking, to protect workers. The FTC has made it a priority to scrutinize mergers that may harm competition in US labor markets. Research shows that these markets are already highly concentrated, and less competitive labor markets can enable firms to harm workers by lowering wages, reducing benefits, and perpetuating precarious or exploitative working conditions.

The FTC has also prioritized cracking down on anticompetitive contract terms that put workers at a disadvantage. The Commission is considering a proposed rule that would ban noncompete clauses in employment contracts and has taken action to protect workers in several Commission orders.

In addition, the agency will continue to take action to stop deceptive and unfair acts and practices aimed at workers, particularly those in the “gig economy” who often don’t enjoy the full protections of traditional employment relationships. The FTC’s actions in this area include cases against Amazon, Uber, HomeAdvisor, and Burgerim, an ongoing rulemaking to challenge bogus money-making claims and a notice of penalty offenses sent to more than 1,100 businesses that pitch money-making ventures.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by FTC Chair Lina M. Khan and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su. The agreement is in line with the President’s Executive Order on Competition, which affirms the importance of enforcing antitrust laws to combat abuses of market power, including in labor markets.

The FTC works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Consumers can learn more about consumer topics and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

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PUNE: A formal inauguration of the ‘Best Facility and Safety Award’, also the first-of-its-kind in the Indian Real Estate Sector by CREDAI Pune Metro took place during the Presentation Screening Sessions at the CREDAI Pune Metro Office recently.

“Looking at the labor force as the backbone of the industry, CREDAI Pune Metro is committed to the welfare and well-being of laborers through the upgradation of their social life with respect to changing the outlook of the industry. CREDAI Pune Metro has been tirelessly working towards recognizing and promoting best practices in the industry through its dedicated Labour Welfare Committee,” said Ranjit Naiknavare.

CREDAI Pune Metro’s President; Ranjit Naiknavare, Secretary; Ashwin Trimal, Convener; Sapna Rathi, Co-Conveners, Milind Talathi and Parag Patil, Director General, Dr D Abhyankar, along with the expert panel of Jury Members from PCERF and CQRA were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, CREDAI Pune Metro’s President, Ranjit Naiknavare said, “In response to the constantly evolving landscape of our industry, we have introduced the Safety Award Competition 2023. Safety is a non-negotiable aspect of any thriving community, and our dedication towards ensuring the well-being of both our workforce and residents has prompted this innovative addition.” Additionally, he expressed that this distinctive initiative of CREDAI Pune Metro is well supported by developer teams and will boost the Safety Awareness and Implementation of various Labour Welfare Activities among the communities in Pune and Maharashtra.”

Pride Group and Vilas Javdekar Group have been the main Sponsors, while the SJ Contracts Group have been the Co-Sponsors for the Best Facility and Safety Award Competition. Supportingly, entries from 150-plus member Developers were received for both competitions.

CREDAI Pune Metro also discharges activities like Labour Registration, availability of benefits under BOCW, Formation of Free Labour Advisory Forum, providing guidelines to members on Safety and Precautionary measures to be undertaken on construction sites, arranging Health Checkup camps, Crèches, Immunization Programs, schools for the children of the labors working at construction sites, etc.

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