Employment, Labour and Benefits

Unlike some global markets, India does not recognise the “at-will” employment model. Here, employment termination must be backed by cause and prior notice. Most contracts mandate a notice period or payment in lieu, applicable to both employer and employee, making notice clauses a standard fixture in Indian employment arrangements.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently issued an advisory dated 21 August 2024, restricting the Food Business Operators (FBO) from selling and marketing of dairy products with A1 and A2 labels. This move was intended to address concerns over misleading claims related to these types of beta-casein proteins. However, in less than a week, the FSSAI withdrew the advisory, citing the need for further consultation with stakeholders. 

Recent findings by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have revealed alarming levels of microplastics in everyday food items like sugar and salt. According to the study by FAO, iodised salt contained the highest concentration of microplastics, with 89.15 pieces per kilogramme, while organic rock salt produced the lowest concentration, with 6.70 pieces per kilogramme. In sugar, the microplastic particles varied between 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogramme, with non-organic sugar showing the highest levels.

Diversity and inclusion initiatives at the workplace have become essential for employers across the world. While most of the developed nations have comprehensive codified laws to prevent workplace discrimination across sectors, India has a few anti-discrimination laws that prohibit and prevent discrimination of employees in the private sector.