Work done within the home, including caring for children, is extremely important to society but undervalued and poorly tracked. 

The over-use of acronyms turns the joy of reading into a tedious process of decoding. It also muddles the message of development communications.

The Asia Pacific region is standing together to cooperate regionally to address the transnational threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many workers will be displaced and many businesses will close as a result of the slowdown caused by COVID-19. Providing support to those affected gives them a fighting chance.

The production processes and supply chains that feed into the production of masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment must be secured.

As the pandemic continues, the supply chains producing vital personal protective equipment are starting to fail, causing shortages. Countries and international organizations can fill these gaps by working together.

NOIDA: The Noida Authority is set to start work on a six-lane bridge, parallel to the existing Okhla Barrage, this month bringing a sigh of relief to thousands of commuters who travel between Delhi, Noida and Faridabad. Technical bids for the project are to be finalized on February 3, while financial bids will be decided a week later. According to the officials, the construction of the Rs 150 crore bridge is expected to be ready in two years. Officials further revealed that the Central Water & Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) and IIT-Delhi have already approved the proposed project last year and it is being fast […]

ISLAMABAD: As many as 1.6 billion of the world’s 2bn informal economy workers are affected by Covid-19 lockdown and containment measures, a new briefing paper issued by the International Labour Organi­sation (ILO) said.

Most are working in the hardest-hit sectors or in small units more vulnerable to shocks including workers in accommodation and food services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and the more than 500 million farmers producing for the urban market, the report says. Women are particularly affected in high-risk sectors, it adds.

The Covid-19 lockdown and containment measures threaten to increase relative poverty levels among the world’s informal economy workers by as much as 56 percentage points in low-income countries.

In high-income countries, relative poverty levels among informal workers is estimated to increase by 52 percentage points, while in upper middle-income countries the increase is estimated to be 21 percentage points.

In addition, with these workers needing to work to feed their families, Covid-19 containment measures in many countries cannot be implemented successfully. This is endangering governments’ efforts to protect the population and fight the pandemic. It may become a source of social tension in countries with large informal economies, the report says.

More than 75 per cent of total informal employment takes place in businesses of fewer than ten workers, including 45pc of independent workers without employees.

With most informal workers having no other means of support, they face an almost unsolvable dilemma: to die from hunger or from the virus, the briefing says. This has been exacerbated by disruptions in food supplies, which has particularly affected those in the informal economy.

For the world’s 67 million domestic workers, 75pc of whom are informal workers, unemployment has become as threatening as the virus itself. Many have not been able to work, whether at the request of their employers or in compliance with lockdowns. Those who do continue to go to work face a high risk of contagion, caring for families in private households. For the 11 million migrant domestic workers the situation is even worse.

The countries with the largest informal economies, where full lockdowns have been adopted, are suffering the most from the consequences of the pandemic. Informal economy workers significantly impacted by lockdown vary from 89pc in Latin America and the Arab states to 83pc in Africa, 73pc in Asia and the Pacific, and 64pc in Europe and Central Asia.

Countries need to follow a multi-track strategy that combines several lines of actions relating to both the health and economic impacts of the pandemic, the ILO said.

Among its recommendations, the report highlights the need for policies that reduce the exposure of informal workers to the virus; ensure that those infected have access to health care; provide income and food support to individuals and their families; and prevent damage to the economic fabric of countries.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2020

MUMBAI: Fourteen migrant labourers walking back to their villages after being left destitute by India’s strict coronavirus lockdown were killed on Friday after being hit by a train, officials said.

The men were returning home when they were hit by the goods train near Aurangabad, in the western state of Maharashtra, police official S.S. Sutale said.

They were among millions of migrant workers who have been left unemployed, officials said, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a national lockdown in March, sparking an exodus from major cities.

Hours after the incident, the Indian rail ministry tweeted that the train driver applied the brakes after seeing the men, but was unable to stop the train in time.

Three others were injured and taken to hospital, the ministry said, announcing an inquiry.

State police official Vaibhav Kalumbarme said officers were investigating the accident as there were strict guidelines to prevent migrants accessing the railway tracks from stations.

“But it is impossible to monitor every inch of the tracks when they take shortcuts,” Kalumbarme said.

Although states announced special trains to return migrant labourers, many continue to walk long distances to reach their villages.

Local media reported some provinces were charging for the rail tickets, which most can’t afford.

The return home has proved deadly for several workers ever since the lockdown started.

A study conducted by the non-profit SaveLIFE Foundation said 140 were killed in car crashes across the country — with at least 42 of them migrant labourers travelling home.

“We have been running campaigns cautioning people not to walk on tracks and we are doing everything we can urgently to get them back to their families. This is a tragic incident,” Kalumbarme added.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2020

The project’s targeted outcome was improved access to social and economic facilities in the project areas, particularly in education and health services, and transport hubs in Timor-Leste. These were to (i) rehabilitate 232 kilometers (km) of priority roads; (ii) develop and implement a new road maintenance program; (iii) improve border post facilities; and (iv) provide consulting services and technical assistance (TA) in all aspects of project development and implementation.

This Annual Work Program for 2020 presents the priorities and activities for the Water Financing Partnership Facility (WFPF or the Facility), as administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Microchip Delivers 50 Millionth MOST® Technology 50 Mbps Automotive Intelligent Network Interface Controller

Regulatory reforms should focus on building up market competition, which indirectly forces state-owned enterprises to improve their operation toward efficiency.

Regulatory reforms should focus on building up market competition, which indirectly forces state-owned enterprises to improve their operation toward efficiency.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has begun the construction of 3.1 km-long new Metro Line 7A. The proposed metro corridor would comprise two stations and would connect Line 7 with the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has commenced the development of the Metro Line 7A.  The reach of the new metro would be 3.1 km, out of which 2.1 km-long section would be underground and would include a twin-tunnel. The corridor would establish connectivity between Metro Line 7 and the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Other areas that are expected to benefit from the improved connectivity include Andheri and Dahisar (East). According to an MMRDA […]

KOLKATA: The state Public Works department (PWD) have divided all its circles into three zones – North, West and South for better supervision and monitoring of development projects of various government department entrusted to PWD all over the state. The PWD authorities were mulling on the plan to reorganise all its circles with the aim to implement the concept of coming up with three zones – North zone, West zone and South zone – so that the authorities can properly monitor and supervise all development projects that have been entrusted on them by the other departments. The PWD has several circles under the PWD road division, national highway and state […]

At HARMAN, we believe the future of the workplace is one where individuals can take time away from work to focus on their families and caregiving duties without sacrificing the ability to drive a successful career. Through our partnership with Path...

One-way corridors, buffer zones around desks, and clear plastic screens to guard against colleagues' coughs and sneezes may become office standards after coronavirus stay-at-home orders are lifted,...

When the nightclub in which she touted for business in southern Chile was shut down by the authorities as the new coronavirus spread, sex worker Camila Hormazabal was left without access to her sole...

A young boy chooses a nurse as the superhero he wants to play with over Batman and Spiderman in a new artwork by Banksy that encapsulates the gratitude Britons have felt toward the country's National...

Police in India's western Aurangabad district have returned the bodies of 16 migrants killed by a train on Friday, to their home towns. Ciara Lee reports

(This Apr 9 story corrects spelling and title of Joyce Maroney, founder and executive director of the Workforce Institute at Kronos, in paragraphs 16 and 23.)

If you were laid off in April, the health insurance from your job may stop at the end of the month. Then what?

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday made an indirect dig at President Donald Trump's Navy Blue Angels flyover this weekend, saying that political leaders have 'no right to praise them and then ignore their needs.'

Watch a new series charting our planet from above, read all about the biggest living things, fend off space rocks for fun, plus more picks for your diary

The largest union representing U.S. meatpacking workers said on Friday it opposed the reopening of plants as the Trump administration had failed to guarantee workers' safety.

This week, catch the last few days of an art show that gives mothers their due, explore a land of orchids and discover how loving maths makes us better people

Just how humans evolved the stiff feet that allow us to walk and run has been something of a mystery, but now researchers say a bony arch structure is the key

A young boy chooses a nurse as the superhero he wants to play with over Batman and Spiderman in a new artwork by Banksy that encapsulates the gratitude Britons have felt toward the country's National Health Service during the coronavirus crisis.

A common misconception is that evolution naturally selects for biological complexity, eventually creating advanced organisms like us. That couldn't be further from the truth

To fight the new coronavirus, researchers are investigating more than 60 drugs, including remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine and brand new ones. Here’s a breakdown of progress so far

The largest union representing U.S. meatpacking workers said on Friday it opposed the reopening of plants as the Trump administration had failed to guarantee workers' safety.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday made an indirect dig at President Donald Trump's Navy Blue Angels flyover this weekend, saying that political leaders have 'no right to praise them and then ignore their needs.'

Rock band Queen and singer Adam Lambert are raising money for health workers fighting COVID-19 with new single ''You Are The Champions." Ryan Brooks reports.

Police in India's western Aurangabad district have returned the bodies of 16 migrants killed by a train on Friday, to their home towns. Ciara Lee reports

Martha Wells's action-packed novel Network Effect puts you inside the head of a Murderbot. It raises fascinating questions you will think about for a long time, says Sally Adee

Many countries are focusing coronavirus testing on people who have covid-19 symptoms. But regularly testing all essential workers would have more of an impact

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday made an indirect dig at President Donald Trump's Navy Blue Angels flyover this weekend, saying that political leaders have 'no right to praise them and then ignore their needs.'

Title: Weight-Loss Surgery Works, No Matter How Long Patient Was Obese
Category: Health News
Created: 2/28/2020 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 3/2/2020 12:00:00 AM

Title: Cancer Drug Seems to Work by Activating Virus
Category: Health News
Created: 4/23/2010 2:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 4/26/2010 12:00:00 AM

Title: OTC Drugs May Work Differently in Obese Kids
Category: Health News
Created: 4/27/2010 6:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2010 12:00:00 AM

Title: Small Study Shows Lipodissolve Works
Category: Health News
Created: 4/28/2010 9:24:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2010 9:24:32 AM

Title: Less Invasive Heart Valve Replacement Works for Elderly: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 5/2/2012 6:05:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 5/3/2012 12:00:00 AM

Title: Laughter May Work Like Meditation in the Brain
Category: Health News
Created: 4/27/2014 12:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2014 12:00:00 AM

Title: Even Routine Housework May Help Stave Off Disability
Category: Health News
Created: 4/30/2014 9:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/30/2014 12:00:00 AM

Title: Working With Horses May Ease Stress in Kids
Category: Health News
Created: 4/29/2014 2:36:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 4/30/2014 12:00:00 AM

Title: When Medical Marijuana Doesn't Work
Category: Health News
Created: 5/1/2014 11:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/1/2014 12:00:00 AM

Title: 'Freezing' Technique May Work for Some Women With Early Breast Cancer
Category: Health News
Created: 4/30/2014 2:36:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 5/1/2014 12:00:00 AM

Title: Businesses Should Be Mindful of Zika Danger to Workers, CDC Says
Category: Health News
Created: 4/22/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/25/2016 12:00:00 AM