Economy | Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Panel discusses legal protections for gig economy workers

June 17, 2020 Sneha Visakha

A discussion co-organised by Citizen Matters and Vidhi Legal looked at the precarity of workers in the gig economy, and how the sector can be regulated to protect them.

Metro workers in a labour colony during lockdown

Without cash, migrant workers fall back on their families for roti, kapda, makaan

June 16, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty and Pranshu Rathee

With no income, the lockdown affected every aspect of an informal worker’s life. It was only reverse remittances that kept them afloat, finds out the first of this four-part Ground Reality Series

Citizen Matters, Vidhi Legal invite you to a discussion on formalising the Gig Economy

June 8, 2020 News Desk

COVID-19 crisis brought into sharp focus the precarious conditions of gig workers. How can the gig economy be regulated to ensure fair work conditions? Tune into a discussion by Citizen Matters and Vidhi Legal.

Survey: Garment factory workers say they won’t, and can’t, work longer hours

May 25, 2020 Clifton D'rozario

Karnataka government has allowed factories to increase work hours. But in a survey, majority of garment factory workers said it was simply impossible for them to work extra hours.

How much does Bengaluru drink?

May 8, 2020 Siddhant Kalra

Last year 17.2 crore litres of liquor was sold in Bengaluru and an average consumer drank about 36 litres of liquor and 27 litres of beer.

Will your neighbourhood grocery store recover from COVID lockdown?

May 5, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

Neighbourhood shops selling essentials have stayed open during lockdown, but even they have suffered severe losses. Disrupted supply chain, extremely low footfalls, lack of movement passes and home delivery staff meant they have a long road to recovery.

Bengaluru’s poor, now out of cash, want pawn shops reopened

May 4, 2020 Pranshu Rathee

Under normal circumstances, the poor would find a way out by borrowing amongst themselves. But this is not an option as everyone is under severe distress.

Street vendors demand relief, offer support to govt in tackling COVID-19

April 23, 2020 Vinay Sreenivasa

Even as they demand relief, street vendors in Bengaluru are offering to support the government by running community kitchens and delivering essentials to households.

B’luru lockdown: Garment workers face uncertainty, factory owners unwilling to pay wages

April 3, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

Over four lakh garment factory workers in Bengaluru face uncertainty as managements are unwilling to pay their wages until the lockdown ends. Managements say they need a stimulus package from the government so as to pay wages in April.

Can Bengaluru’s street food vendors tide over COVID-19 lockdown?

April 2, 2020 Puja Guha

The compounded effect of the lockdown, cholera-related evictions and the subsequent negative publicity about street food, may deal a severe blow to the thousands of street food vendors in Bengaluru.

Hassled by money lenders and police, Bengaluru’s auto drivers live in poverty

January 22, 2020 Lucy Baker

Bengaluru’s auto drivers are a stigmatised lot, but is there a reason they demand exorbitant fares? Shunned by banks, these drivers are often indebted to money lenders for life

Should Bengaluru have advertisement hoardings?

October 18, 2019 Manasi Paresh Kumar

While BBMP Council wants to ban advertisement hoardings in the city, the state government has come up with its own Rules to allow hoardings. Whose decision should prevail, and why?

“Dear food businesses, areca cutlery and clay pots aren’t eco-friendly”

October 9, 2019 Seema Sharma

Many businesses are opting for areca cutlery, clay pots etc to avoid plastic and be eco-friendly. But these materials are hard to compost, and only add to Bengaluru’s piling waste.

Hundreds of workers from across Karnataka gathered at Karmikara Bhavana to protest against low wages and discrimination. Pic: Vinay Sreenivasa

Garment factory workers protest lack of minimum wages

September 14, 2019 Vinay Sreenivasa

While most workers in Karnataka now get minimum wages of Rs 11,557 per month, garment factory workers are still paid Rs 7000-8000. State government has not increased their wages as per the law, or even after a recent court order

Revenue, environment or aesthetics: What should decide Bengaluru’s ad hoarding policy?

September 4, 2019 Kedar Koushik

A debate has been raging on whether outdoor ads should be permitted in Bengaluru. Can the city bear the revenue loss from hoardings? What about plastic waste from hoardings, or Bengalureans’ wish for a clear view of the city’s skyline?