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Time of India
02-08-2025
- Time of India
No Foreigner Detention Camps In Maha, State Govt Tells HC
Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court recently referred the case of prolonged detention of a Nigerian national — despite being granted bail 10 months ago — to a larger bench for consideration as a public interest litigation (PIL), after govt authorities failed to transfer the accused to any foreigner detention centre. The accused, Emeka Udenje, was arrested on May 21, 2023, from Delhi by Nagpur Police's cyber cell, in connection with sections under Indian Penal Code for cheating and criminal breach of trust and Section 14 of Foreigners Act. He was remanded in judicial custody on May 27. On June 19, 2024, the judicial magistrate first class, Nagpur, granted Udenje bail on furnishing a Rs50,000 bond and a surety. Given his lapsed passport and visa, the court directed that he be placed in a foreigner detention centre to ensure his presence during trial, suggesting coordination with the district collector. After complying with the bail conditions, Udenje was released from Nagpur Central Jail on September 24, 2024, but was immediately detained again at the city's cyber police station. His application before the sessions court to modify the detention condition was rejected, prompting him to move the HC through counsels Madan Puranik and HR Nanoti. In a hearing before Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke, govt lawyer initially submitted that detention facilities existed at Taloja and Bhoiwada in Mumbai. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The HC accordingly passed an order on May 7 permitting the accused's transfer. But two months later, when no transfer was executed, Udenje filed a fresh application, prompting the court to seek clarification. On inquiry, the govt reversed its stand, stating that no foreigner detention centres were operational in Maharashtra. Concerned with this contradiction and continued illegal detention of a foreign national despite being granted bail, the court observed: "Now there is an issue where foreign nationals are to be kept. There are two other foreign nationals, and the investigating agency is unable to decide their accommodation and detention. This aspect is to be dealt with by this court." Justice Joshi-Phalke noted, "If the foreign nationals are permitted to be released, there would be an apprehension of them fleeing away and difficulty in securing their presence." In view of the unresolved systemic concerns, the court directed that Udenje's case be placed before Bombay HC division bench at Nagpur as a PIL. The order was also forwarded to the registrar (judicial) for necessary action. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Boston Globe
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Subminimum wage to stay in place for disabled workers
The Labor Department said it made that decision because 'individuals with significant disabilities would face unemployment, underemployment, or loss of ancillary services if 14(c) options were eliminated,' referring to Section 14(c) of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, which established the program legalizing subminimum-wage pay for workers with disabilities. The department also expressed concern that the executive branch does not have the legal authority to 'unilaterally and permanently' end the program. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The question over which branch of government has the power to end the program is a long-standing one. Although Biden's first labor secretary, Marty Walsh, said congressional action is required to change the program, his successor in the Biden administration — acting labor secretary Julie Su — argued the Labor Department does have the legal authority to make changes to 14(c) programs. Advertisement As of July 1, at least 679 employers across the country were paying 35,000 workers with disabilities a subminimum wage under Section 14(c). Many of these workers have jobs in what are known as 'sheltered workshops,' facilities that segregate disabled and nondisabled workers, and may provide disabled workers with additional supervision. Advertisement The Fair Labor Standards Act allows the wages of workers with disabilities to be set according to their 'productivity.' While the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, some workers with disabilities are paid as little as 25 cents per hour, a Washington Post investigation from last year found. The investigation also found that nearly a third of 14(c) employers failed to correctly pay workers. Proponents of the programs — including some parents of workers with disabilities — say that 14(c) creates opportunities for people who are unable to find work in the open job market. Critics say that jobs offered under 14(c) can be monotonous and that subminimum wages are an affront to the dignity of these workers. The federal government requires 14(c) programs to prepare workers for competitive, higher-paying employment alongside people without disabilities. However, The Post's investigation found that only 0.5 percent of workers entered vocational rehabilitation services, the main pipeline for transitioning workers with disabilities to integrated workplaces with nondisabled workers. A 2021 Government Accountability Office analysis found roughly 2 percent of disabled workers in 14(c) programs moved into competitive positions. As the Biden administration considered whether to proceed with its rule change, a number of Republican lawmakers advocated on behalf of the programs. Among them was Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin), who introduced legislation in December to halt the Biden administration's proposed rule. He said that facilities such as Threshold in West Bend, Wisconsin, provide meaningful employment and social connection to people whose disabilities may prevent them from finding employment in the community. Advertisement Some disabled workers in 14(c) programs have spoken positively about their jobs. Others have become vocal opponents. Liz Weintraub, a senior advocacy specialist at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), has cerebral palsy and previously worked in three 14(c) positions, including at a greenhouse, an office and a newspaper packaging facility. She said the jobs were 'horrible' because she had little choice in the type of work. 'When I was working in the workshops, probably 100 percent of the time I dreaded working,' Weintraub said. Although the federal government will not make changes to 14(c), states have begun to sunset subminimum-wage programs within their borders. According to a report from the GAO, 16 states have eliminated subminimum-wage employment programs as of January. States have cited reasons including equality of pay and facilitating more opportunities for workers with disabilities to integrate into jobs with nondisabled people. Caitlin Gilbert contributed to this report.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Former Sasol employee disputes R1. 8 million payout 10 years after retrenchment
A former Sasol employee took Old Mutual to the Financial Service Tribunal to dispute the R1.8 million pension payout. Image: Pexels A former Sasol employee took Old Mutual to the Financial Service Tribunal (FST) to dispute the R1.8 million payout he received after his retrenchment in 2015. Thabiso Sehlabaka worked for Sasol from 1988 until he was retrenched in 2015. Initially a member of the Sasol Pension Fund, Sehlabaka transitioned through the Sasol Negotiated Provident Fund before finally migrating to the Old Mutual Superfund. Following his retrenchment, in April 2015, Sehlabaka received over R1.8 million after tax deductions. Four years later, in November 2019, he received an additional sum of R26,777 from the Unclaimed Benefits Preservation Fund, but it was only in August 2024, that he raised concerns about his payout. He lodged a complaint with the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) as he was dissatisfied with his payout. Unfortunately, in December 2024, the PFA declined to investigate his complaint, finding it time barred. The setback did not deter Sehlabaka, who filed an application for reconsideration with the FST in February 2025. He argued that he only became aware of potential discrepancies in early 2024, leading him to assert that his complaint was still within acceptable time limits. His dissatisfaction stemmed from claims of insufficient compensation after 27 years of service, discrepancies in years of service accounted for, and pivotal issues regarding taxation. Sehlabaka alleged an incorrect South African Revenue Services (SARS) tax deduction of R15,000 that he claims remains unpaid and is owed to him. Furthermore, he claimed that he never consented to his exit from the Sasol Negotiated Provident Fund to Old Mutual's Superfund. He was also dissatisfied with the overall benefit amount received after 27 years of service. Moreover, he said some years of service were not accounted for. However, Sasol clarified that Sehlabaka was not required to opt into the Superfund, as this was accomplished through a Section 14 Transfer. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Presiding over the tribunal, Advocate Salmé Maritz examined the case and found Sehlabaka offered insufficient reasons for the nine-year delay in raising his concerns. Maritz noted that the allegations of incorrect tax deductions and unaccounted service years were vague and unsupported, lacking any new factual basis that could not have been unearthed with reasonable diligence. Regarding the disputed R15,000 tax deduction, Maritz clarified that this amount was lawfully deducted in accordance with the Income Tax Act and specified that Old Mutual was mandated to remit taxes to SARS prior to disbursing any funds. "The Superfund (Old Mutual) is legally required to deduct and pay this tax to SARS before making a payment. The Superfund cannot refund lawfully deducted tax to the applicant (Sehlabaka). If the applicant disputes the deduction or believes it wasn't paid to SARS, he must raise it with SARS," added Maritz. Consequently, Sehlabaka's application was dismissed. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls for police to maintain bin strike presence
Calls have been made for the police to maintain their presence at Birmingham bin strike picket lines as collections continued to be affected. Roger Harmer, Lib Dem leader on the city council, urged police not to wait until the city reached crisis point before stepping in. His comments came after the number of officers sent to police the picket lines were cut and amid reports of bin lorries being blocked by striking workers at depots. On Monday lorries were seen driving up to depot gates in Tyseley but parking up inside as striking workers stood outside. West Midlands Police said it would continue to assess the situation and ensure its presence is in line with its core policing responsibilities. Why are Birmingham's bin workers on strike? Bin strike exposes divide between rich and poor I haven't had my recycling collected since January Harmer urged West Midlands Police to have a "consistent presence" at picket lines and not to wait "until the city reaches crisis point again". "Human-height mounds of black bags" became commonplace in the city and Harmer described it as "a national embarrassment and terrible for the city's reputation". "The police have powers to stop strikers from obstructing working crews – they should not wait for the city to reach crisis point again before acting," he added. However some people in the city said a crisis point had already been reached for them. Judith Whalley told BBC Radio WM that the strike was starting to affect her ability to leave her home in Hockley. "As it's not been collected, people are just putting more rubbish and more rubbish out," she said. "Once again, I'm about to be trapped because it's spreading across the pavement but I can't get down the pavement on my mobility scooter. "With the weather the way it is, [it is] really getting smelly." However, Ms Whalley said she sympathised with those on strike: "Nobody could afford to lose that sort of money." Lorraine Boyce, from West Heath, said her hallway was full of recycling but some people had stopped separating it. "Probably they've got sheds or halls, full of recycling," she said. "They've started putting that in bags so a lot more black bags have appeared. "It's very, very depressing." Police patrols had previously helped secure the smooth exit of trucks from depots in recent weeks by using powers under Section 14 of the Public Order Act, a law used around public gatherings. But a force spokesperson confirmed those powers were no longer in place as the issue "does not currently meet the threshold". It came after waste collections were disrupted on Thursday when bin lorries were blocked from leaving two depots by striking refuse workers, leading to reports of rubbish piling up in parts of the city again. Police were parked nearby and were seen getting out of their patrol cars but they remained a distance away. The council said it was not safe for their trucks to leave the depot due to the police no longer using their Section 14 powers. "The gates had been locked for safety reasons, and we had already attempted to get lorries out of the depot. The gates were reopened at 8 am," it said. Union Unite, which organised the strike, has been approached for a comment on Monday's picket lines. The all-out strike began on 11 March in a dispute with the council over plans to downgrade the roles of drivers, which the union said would see pay cuts of up to £8,000. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Why are Birmingham bin workers on strike? PM living in 'la-la land', striking bin worker says Bin strike policing cut as waste builds up again Striking bin workers block depot lorries again Bin collections not back to normal - politicians Birmingham City Council Unite West Midlands Police
