Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien has suggested implementing a Universal Minimum Annual National Guarantee (UMANG) to combat India’s low wages and working poverty. O’Brien, a Rajya Sabha MP, raised concerns about high youth unemployment rates and stagnant incomes during a recent session. He highlighted that a significant portion of Indian youth faces unemployment or underemployment, with many lacking a guaranteed minimum wage.
O’Brien emphasized the need for a universal basic minimum wage that would apply to all workers, regardless of sector or contract type. He stressed the importance of setting a national threshold to prevent workers from earning below a certain level. The proposed UMANG policy aims to address the issue of low wages that hinder economic growth and perpetuate poverty cycles.
The Trinamool leader outlined a four-step plan for the effective implementation of the UMANG policy. This plan includes establishing a binding national floor wage, linking wage adjustments to inflation, simplifying wage structures, and extending coverage to all categories of workers, including those in the gig economy and unorganised sector. O’Brien’s proposal seeks to ensure fair wages for all workers and improve overall economic well-being.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh also criticized the Agniveer scheme for allegedly failing aspiring soldiers. Singh highlighted the disappointment among thousands of youth who cleared exams for the Army and Air Force but have not been recruited. He shared the story of a soldier, Harinder Yadav, who expressed his desire to serve but was assigned menial tasks instead. Singh called for addressing these issues to uphold the aspirations of India’s youth.
