CURRENT AFFAIRS 11 NOVEMBER 2019

CURRENT AFFAIRS

11 NOVEMBER 2019

1.DRAFT SOCIAL SECURITY CODE(gs-2)’

Context:Centre gets responses to draft Social Security code
The draft code on social security, which subsumes eight existing laws covering provident fund, maternity benefits and pension, is being further worked upon after a recent round of public consultations, officials of the Labour and Employment Ministry have said. A draft of the social security code, one of the four codes that are part of the Centre’s labour reforms agenda, was published on September 17 for public comments and suggestions till October 25.

DRAFT SOCIAL SECURITY CODE:

Objectives of the draft:

To amalgamate a clutch of existing laws and proposes several new initiatives including universal social security for unorganized sector workers and, insurance and health benefits for gig workers.
To Corporatize of existing organizations like EPFO and ESIC headed by people other than the labour minister.

Key highlights of the draft:

Insurance, PF, life cover for unorganized sector employees: Central Government shall formulate and notify, from time to time, suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers on matter relating to life and disability cover; health and maternity benefits; old age protection; and any other benefit as may be determined by the central government.
Corporatization of EPFO and ESIC: The pension, insurance and retirement saving bodies including EPFO and ESIC will be body corporate. Labour minister, labour secretary, the central PF commissioner and Director General of ESIC may not be by default the head of such organizations.
Benefits for Gig workers: “Central Government may formulate and notify, from time to time, suitable social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers” and such schemes would encompass issues like “life and disability cover”, “health and maternity benefits” , “old age protection” and “any other benefit as may be determined by the Central Government”.
Maternity Benfit: Subject to the other provisions of this Code, every woman shall be entitled to, and her employer shall be liable for, the payment of maternity benefit at the rate of the average daily wage for the period of her actual absence, that is to say, the period immediately preceding the day of her delivery, and any period immediately following that day.
The Code on Social Security, 2019 once in place will merge eight exiting labour laws including Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923; Employees‘ State Insurance Act, 1948, Employees‘ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952; Maternity Benefit Act, 1961; Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972; Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981; Building and Other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996 and Unorganized Workers‘ Social Security Act, 2008.

2.Organization of American States(gs-2)

Context:Bolivia’s President agrees to new polls after damning OAS audit
Bolivian President Evo Morales agreed on Sunday to hold new presidential elections after an audit of the disputed October 20 vote found serious irregularities, while pressure mounted on the leftist leader to step down. The Organization of American States’ (OAS) report, issued on Sunday, said the vote should be annulled after it had found “clear manipulations” of the voting system that called into question Mr. Morales' win, with a lead of just over 10 points over main rival Carlos Mesa

Organization of American States:

The Organization of American States or the OAS or OEA, is a continental organization that was founded on 30 April 1948, for the purposes of regional solidarity and cooperation among its member states. Headquartered in the United States' capital Washington, D.C., the OAS's members are the 35 independent states of the Americas.

Goals and purpose:

In the words of Article 1 of the Charter, the goal of the member nations in creating the OAS was "to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence." Article 2 then defines eight essential purposes:
To strengthen the peace and security of the continent.
To promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect for the principle of non-intervention.
To prevent possible causes of difficulties and to ensure the pacific settlement of disputes that may arise among the member states.
To provide for common action on the part of those states in the event of aggression.
To seek the solution of political, judicial, and economic problems that may arise among them.
To promote, by cooperative action, their economic, social, and cultural development.
To eradicate extreme poverty, which constitutes an obstacle to the full democratic development of the peoples of the hemisphere.
To achieve an effective limitation of conventional weapons that will make it possible to devote the largest amount of resources to the economic and social development of the member states.

3.'Courts of India: Past to Present'(gs-1)

Context:CJI Ranjan Gogoi releases Assamese version of book 'Courts of India: Past to Present'
Chief Justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi released the Assamese version of the book 'Courts of India: Past to Present' in Guwahati on Sunday. Releasing the book published by the Publication Division, Mr. Gogoi termed it as the architecture of justice. He said, the book fabulously explains the Indian justice system.

The Chief Justice of India also emphasized that the law students should go through the book. Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Justice of India designate Sharad Arvind Bobde along with other dignitaries also attended the event. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the book will be provided to all government libraries in Assam. In his address, Justice Bobde termed the book as one of the finest compilations. Justice Bobde said, he is looking forward to see the book get translated in other languages too.
The event was also attended by the Principal Director General of All India Radio News and Publication Division Ira Joshi. AIR Correspondent reports that the book has captured the historical developments which took place in the history of nation's courts. The various chapters of the book narrates the historical events of the court.

4.Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)(gs-2,3)

Context:Defence innovations conference showcasing accomplishments of iDEX to be held today
Defence ministry is organising Def-Connect in New Delhi tomorrow to showcase the accomplishments of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative.

The conference aims to bring together all stakeholders of the iDEX ecosystem, Ministry of defence, iDEX selected startups, Partner Incubators, Defence Innovation Organisation, Nodal agencies (Indian Army, Navy, Airforce), Defence Research and Development Organisation and Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Indian Ordnance Factories.

launch of iDEX Portal and launch of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC)-III are some of the major activities planned during this day-long event. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be the Chief Guest of the event.

Innovations For Defence Excellence (iDEX):

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) launched by the Governmentin April 2018, primarily aims at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia, and provide them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D which has good potential for future adoption for Indian defence and aerospace needs.
iDEX will be funded and managed by a ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’ which has been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose, by the two founder members i.e. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) - HAL & BEL.iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.

5.Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference(ADIPEC)(gs-2)

Context: Dharmendra Pradhan to visit to UAE for ADIPEC
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will visit United Arab Emirates from November 10 to 12 to attend the inaugural Ministerial session of Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. He will participate in the Ministerial panel discussion.
Accompanied by officials and business delegation, the Minister is scheduled to meet his UAE counterpart Minister of Energy and Industry, Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei. Both the countries will discuss issues of bilateral hydrocarbon as well as steel sector engagements. He will also explore the opportunities for steel exports to the middle east countries.

ADIPEC:

Since its inception in 1984, ADIPEC has provided an unrivalled platform for industry experts to come together and share knowledge and meet with peers. ADIPEC remains in the top 3 oil and gas events in the world welcoming delegates, visitors and exhibitors from across the globe.
The multi-disciplinary conference is intended for international and regional oil and gas professionals, who are involved in both the technical and non-technical functions within the industry.

6.Global Exhibition Services(gs-2,3)

Context:5th edition of GES to be held from Nov 26-28 in Bengaluru
PicsThe fifth edition of Global Exhibition on Services, GES 2019 is being held from November 26 to 28 at Bengaluru in Karnataka. The Global Exhibition on Services is an annual event which aims to engage industry and governments across the world and to promote greater exchange of trade in services between India and the rest of the world.

Commerce and Industry Ministry said that GES 2019 is an attempt towards escalating the Indian services bar in the global arena, encompassing participation from 100 countries and hosting sector-specific knowledge sessions. India is looking to attract investments and partnerships in strategic areas like aviation and space programme, infrastructure, and telecom projects.

Global Exhibition Services:

The first Global Exhibition on Services (GES) held in 2015 in New Delhi received immense traction due to the support, guidance and encouragement of Hon’ble Prime Minister. It is now well on the way to emerging as a regular global platform for the promotion of services cooperation in the world.Setting foot in its 5th edition, today GES is considered a global platform for increasing trade in services, enhancing strategic cooperation and strengthening multilateral relationships between stakeholders from India and overseas.
Platform for Services Sector industry to interface with world statesmen, business leaders, academia, policy makers and media leaders

7.World Economic Forum (WEF)(gs-2,3)

Context:Over 100 Indian CEOs, political leaders & Bollywood stars to attend 50th WEF Annual Meeting in Davos
Over 100 Indian CEOs, several political leaders and many Bollywood stars will be in the Switzerland ski resort town of Davos in January for the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting.
The annual meeting of rich and powerful from across the world is expected to be even a bigger affair this time because it would be its 50th anniversary.
Some top global leaders will also be present. Geneva-based WEF has selected stakeholders for a cohesive and sustainable world as the theme for its 2020 annual meeting, which will bring together 3,000 global leaders.
The WEF has said the 2020 meeting aims to give a concrete meaning to stakeholder capitalism, assist governments and international institutions in tracking progress towards the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

World Economic Forum (WEF):

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss nonprofit foundation established in 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution for public-private cooperation, its mission is cited as, "committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas".
Founder and Executive Chairman- Klaus Schwab.
Some major reports published by WEF are:
Global Competitiveness Report
This monitors the performance of countries based on a set of 12 categories called ‘pillars of competitiveness’, namely institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business application and innovation.
Global IT Report
WEF along with INSEAD, and Cornell University publishes this report which examines the increasing proliferation of technology and its effects on advancing global prosperity.
Global Gender Gap Report
Global Risk Report
It enlists the threats which the world will face in future ranging from geopolitical and geo-economic tensions to environmental degradation and disruptions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Global Travel and Tourism Report
It measures set of factors and policies that enable sustainable development of travel and tourism sector.