The U.S. Department of Labor is warning about “body shopping” in the H-1B program, where staffing firms place foreign workers at client sites. Officials say it lets wages be compared against the outsourcing firm’s lower pay levels, potentially widening gaps with U.S. workers. A proposed rule would push prevailing wages higher to close the loophole and tighten compliance.
India’s new labour codes are reshaping workplaces fast, with roughly 4 in 5 firms reportedly revising pay structures amid rising compliance and employment costs. Wage growth is cooling as companies recalibrate workforce models. Yet hiring sentiment is improving, especially in tech and emerging sectors, where firms increasingly target urban capability and digital skills.
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Airbnb’s reported footprint in India during 2024 supported 1.11 lakh jobs and generated Rs 2,400 crore in wages. Guest spending climbed to Rs 11,200 crore, with domestic travelers accounting for 91% of guests. Airbnb’s overall activity is estimated at 0.5% of India’s travel and tourism GDP, underlining its expanding role across hospitality and allied industries.
Six years after earlier promises, migrant workers are again facing worsening hardship. Protests have broken out over low wages and poor working conditions as living costs rise faster than government responses. Welfare schemes and housing programs are struggling to deliver on the ground, while uncertainty around new labour codes adds fresh risk. Rural distress is also rising, leaving workers trapped in a cycle of exploitation.
The US Department of Labor has proposed major H-1B wage rule changes designed to narrow pay gaps by lifting foreign worker compensation by roughly $14,000 a year. The plan revises a four-tier wage benchmark system, which would affect new H-1B applications and reduce concerns that employers use cheaper labor, especially in tech roles.
MSME entrepreneurs in Noida and Greater Noida say a recent rise in wages and overtime rules is pushing up operating costs faster than revenue can follow. They argue policy changes are out of sync with ground realities and are urging the government for financial relief through subsidies and other supportive measures to prevent margin pressure from worsening.
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Delhi NCR’s labor tensions have flared again as workers protest rights and pay. The region’s job promise and international investment pull remain strong, but violent confrontations risk derailing negotiations and worsening the very wage gains workers seek. With labor relations already complex, authorities and employers must focus on lawful, structured dialogue instead of escalation.
Noida factory workers’ unrest is being driven by a less visible kind of inflation: daily essentials have steadily outpaced wage growth. As costs for education and healthcare rise faster than pay, many households lose purchasing power, breeding frustration and resentment. Analysts say tackling these structural gaps is key to keeping growth inclusive and social stability intact.
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