Topic 1: Sada Tanseeq

Why in News?

• Its first Joint Military Exercise conducted between India and Saudi Arabia. The inaugural edition of this joint military exercise will be held Mahajan, Rajasthan.
• The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 29th January to 10th February 2024. The Saudi Arabian contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by Royal Saudi Land Forces.

What is the objective of this Joint Military Exercise?

• Train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The Exercise will enable both the sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domain.
• It will facilitate developing:
• Interoperability
• Bonhomie
• Camaraderie

Other Exercises involving India and Saudi Arabia?

India  and  Saudi  Arabia  recently  conducted  their  first naval  joint   exercise

Al-Mohad Al-Hindi.

Topic 2: Survey on Women Participation in Work Force.

Why in News?

The Union Ministries of Labour & Employment and Women & Child Development have started a joint survey on increasing women participation in the workforce.

What is the objective of Survey?

The survey is being taken to assess the spread of women employee-friendly practices in the country.

The reason for this detailed survey is because of the feedback received from various international agencies and trade unions, including the International Labour Organization, expressing concern over the decrease in participation of female workforce in the country.

What does the Survey intend to achieve?

The Survey will be conducted by the Union Labour Ministry through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and other government agencies.

The government is also seeking details such as:

Formation of internal complaints committee (ICC) for Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH),

• Availability of Creche facilities for children.
• Equal pay for equal work.
• Flexible or remote working hours for women and transportation facilities during late hours.

The survey is carried out in a confidential manner, to ensure availability of realistic and unbiased data. These will be needed to formulate policy of encouraging women participation in the workforce.