Current Affairs 20-MAR-2024 (The Hindu)

Forced Labour

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Why in News?

27.6 million people engaged in forced labour in 2021: ILO A study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that forced labour generates illegal profits worth $36 billion per year, with an increase of 37% since 2014. The report highlights the exploitation of victims and the urgent need to address this injustice.

Forced Labour

• During the Gupta period, it was known as vishti.
• Today, the Indian constitution prohibits forced labour under Article 23.
• Forced labor includes “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily”.

ILO Report - "Profits and Poverty"

• Profits from illegal forced labour hit up to $36 billion USD.
• There has been an increase of 37% in such illegal profits since 2014.
• Forced labour profits are highest in:
  • Europe and Central Asia ($84 billion)
  • Asia and the Pacific ($62 billion)
  • The Americas ($52 billion)
  • Africa ($20 billion)
  • Arab States ($18 billion)
• 27.6 million people are engaged in forced labour.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

• The ILO is the only tripartite U.N. agency, established in 1919.
• It brings together governments, employers, and workers of 187 member States.
• The ILO promotes decent work for all women and men by setting labour standards, developing policies, and devising programmes.

History of ILO

• Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles.
• It was an affiliated agency of the League of Nations.
• Became the first affiliated specialized agency of the UN in 1946.
• Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Operates on the tripartite principle involving government representatives, trade unions, and member-states’ employers.

Functions of ILO

• Creates coordinated policies and programs to solve social and labour issues.
• Ensures adoption of international labour standards through conventions, recommendations, and implementation.
• Assists member-states in solving social and labour problems and ensures protection of human rights such as the right to work, freedom of association, protection against forced labour and discrimination, etc.
• Conducts research and publishes works on social and labour issues.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements with reference to the International Labour Organization (ILO):

1. International Labour Organization (ILO) promotes internationally recognized human and labor rights.
2. India is a founding member of ILO
3. India has ratified all the eight core/fundamental ILO conventions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) only 1

(b)only 2

(c) All Three

(d) None

India's "Neighborhood First" Policy

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Why in News?

India-Bhutan ties epitomize mutual respect and trust, with a focus on economic growth, sustainability, and hydropower cooperation.

Practice Question – Mains GS – II

Discuss the significance and Challenges of India's "Neighborhood First" policy in its foreign relations strategy. (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction

• 'Neighbourhood First' policy - Foreign policy initiative introduced by India in 2014.
• Reinvigoration of the Look East policy.

Basic tenets of the policy

• Sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Mutual respect and sensitivity.
• Non-interference in Internal affairs.
• Shared prosperity.
• Connectivity for regional integration.
• People-to-people exchanges.

Significance of the Policy

Increase the Security Interests of India

• Peace & tranquillity of South Asia – Essential for India.
• Essential to safeguard our borders & deter inter-militancy issues.
• Example - “Operation Sunrise”
• Coordinated operation by armies of India & Myanmar to target and neutralize several militant groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam.

Economic Development of India & South Asia

• South Asia - home to 1.75 billion people with huge market prowess.
• Intra-regional trade is the lowest globally, constituting only 5% of the region’s total trade.
• IMF data - Current economic integration of South Asia is just one-third of its potential with an annual estimated gap of 23 billion dollars.

Connectivity in the Region

• South Asia - Least connected one.
• BBIN initiative.
• Kaladhan multimodal Initiative.
• Construction of Akhaura-Agartala rail link.
• Construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline to boost connectivity.

Enhance the Energy Security of India

• India & neighbors like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan in building hydro-power plants & exporting electricity back to India.
• For example - Chukha HEP, Kurichhu HEP symbolizes India-Bhutan Cooperation.

Twin Heads Weapon

• Fresh engagement - China and Pakistan.
• Counter India hostile policies like the string of pearls, etc.

Threats of the Policy

Increasing Chinese Influence in the Region

• Examples - Pakistan, Sri-Lanka are in serious debt to China and forced to lease out their ports, airports, etc.

Recurring Disputes in South Asia

• Long-standing border disputes, particularly with China (Line of Actual Control) & Pakistan (Line of Control).
• Neighbours like Nepal and Bangladesh - Disputes regarding sharing of waters.

Rising Anti-Indian Sentiments

• Anti-Indian sentiments – Maldives.
• Big brother attitude & Economic dominance.
• India - Humanitarian steps like helping during COVID-19, building houses to address this hatred, this is a major challenge haunting us.

Authoritarian Regimes and Political Unrest

• Authoritarian regimes of our neighbors like Pakistan, Myanmar.
• Political unrest in Afghanistan.

Conclusion

• India - Aspiring superpower with the aim of becoming a developed nation.
• Peaceful and prosperous neighbor is indispensable for it.
• Neighbours - shaping our geopolitical, geostrategic, and geo-economic interests.
• India - work closely with the neighbors in fostering a culture of Inter-dependence, Self –