Women gig workers stage protest in Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 3: More than 100 gig workers, mostly women, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, demanding recognition as employees and alleging arbitrary blocking of accounts, low earnings, and lack of basic labour protection on digital platforms. The demonstration was organised by the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GPSIWU), a women-led body, which said similar protests were being staged in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan as well. By early afternoon, Sunita, who works with a home services platform in Punjabi Bagh, said she already lost nearly Rs 900 in daily income by joining the protest. Sunita said she was drawn to gig work after being promised flexible hours and stable earnings, but she now lives with the constant fear of her account being blocked. Several women at the site covered their faces, saying they feared retaliation if they were identified by the platforms. Many alleged that despite long working hours, deductions and mandatory charges left them with little take-home pay. (PTI)
Myanmar quake jolts Kolkata, adjacent areas
Kolkata, Feb 3: Tremors were felt across Kolkata and its adjoining areas on Tuesday evening, after an earthquake of magnitude 6.1 with its epicentre in Myanmar jolted parts of eastern and northeastern India, an IMD official said. A section of residents in high-rise buildings and office employees said they experienced the aftershocks of the quake, which struck Myanmar at around 9.05 pm and lasted for a few seconds. There were no immediate reports of any damages or injuries on account of the temblor. “The epicentre of the earthquake was somewhere in Myanmar. We are ascertaining the details of the quake and trying to pinpoint its exact location. It had a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale,” the official said. (PTI)
Air India, IndiGo planes involved in minor collision
Mumbai, Feb 3: An Air India flight and IndiGo flight were involved in a minor collision on ground on Tuesday night at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. As per reports, the wing tips of the aircraft brushed against each other while on the taxiway. The incident occurred as Air India flight AI 2732 was pushing back for departure just as while IndiGo flight 6E 791 was taxiing after landing. The incident occurred while passengers were on board both aircraft. No injuries have been reported. “Flight AI2732 operating from Mumbai to Coimbatore on 3 February was delayed after the aircraft scheduled to operate the service came into contact with another airline’s aircraft while waiting on the taxiway prior to take-off. The wingtips of the two aircraft made contact, resulting in damage to our aircraft’s wingtip,” said Air India. (Agencies)
