#labour law softwares

[labourlawsinindia]

https://simpliance.in/

Simpliance provides technology-based governance, risk and compliance solutions to organizations varying from large corporates to start-ups. The GRC tools like risk management, regulatory compliance and audit softwares optimize business performance.

Simpliance also hosts India’s largest digital platform for automated Statutory Compliance Management which helps businesses comply with Indian Labour laws.

Request a FREE DEMO now!

[opspayroll]

Essential HR & Payroll Solutions: GOSI Compliance, Employee Benefits, and Contract Rules in UAE

For companies operating within Saudi Arabia and the UAE, efficient administration of payroll and HR is essential to ensure compliance with the local rules and regulations as well as effectively manage employee benefits. This guide provides the basis for the GOSI Compliance, HR payroll solutions as well as the regulations for contracts to help companies navigate the complexities of regulations and help their employees.

Understanding HR Payroll Management in Saudi Arabia & UAE

Effective payroll management system does more than processing salary payments; it also helps ensure the compliance of local laws, improves benefits administration, and enhances overall efficiency. Businesses operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are faced with unique challenges when it comes to payroll. These range from figuring out the GOSI system in Saudi Arabia to managing benefits for employees in the absence of limitless contracts for the UAE.

Key Components of Payroll Management Software

Employing payroll software for managing payroll has numerous benefits especially for companies with a variety of employees and complicated needs for payroll. Here are a few key aspects to be looking for:

Automatic Payroll Processing Automating payroll will help to reduce errors, speed up the process and increase accuracy.

Monitoring Compliance is a way to verify compliance with local laws governing labor, like GOSI, which is a requirement in Saudi as well as UAE contract regulations.

Self-Service Portals for Employees allows employees to check their pay details, benefits, as well as leave balances quickly.

Integration with other HR Systems seamless integration with HR systems to automate processes like leave and attendance tracking.

GOSI Compliance in Saudi Arabia

The General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) is the social insurance system that is mandatory for Saudi Arabia, covering various benefits for employees including disability and retirement. The compliance with GOSI is vital for all companies operating within the Kingdom.

What is GOSI?

GOSI offers social insurance benefits to Saudi citizens as well as expats who work for private companies. Employers and employees also contribute to GOSI which helps with the retirement benefits, workplace hazards as well as disability and retirement benefits.

Employer's Contribution Employers must contribute 12 percent of the salary of the employee to GOSI in Saudi.

employee contribution Employees can also contribute 10 percent of their wages to GOSI.

The reporting requirement Companies must be able to accurately pay their employees to GOSI each month to ensure that they are in compliance.

Importance of GOSI Compliance

For businesses in Saudi Arabia, maintaining GOSI compliance is not only an obligation of law but crucial to create an environment that is positive for employees.

Avoiding penalties Infractions to GOSI rules can result in sanctions and legal consequences.

Benefits for Employees: GOSI compliance ensures employees are provided with insurance and retirement benefits which improve job satisfaction.

Reputation Management Compliance with GOSI shows that your company is committed to ensuring the security of your employees as well as establishing a positive company image.

HR Payroll Management in the UAE: Limited and Unlimited Contracts

In the UAE the employment contracts are classified by their terms as only and unlimited and have distinct rules for each kind. Understanding these distinctions is essential for companies, particularly when it comes to the calculation of benefits at the end of the service and coordinating the payroll.

Limited Contracts

The limit contract with the UAE is generally a fixed-term contract, with a term of one to three years. It is terminated automatically at the expiration date unless it is renewed.

The End-of-Service Benefits Employees who have contracts with a limited duration can receive a gratuity contingent on the duration of their service.

End of Contract Rules A termination that occurs prior to the expiration date of the contract could result in penalties unless the parties have mutually agreed on.

Renewal Limits and Renewal Renewal Contracts with limited terms can be renewed, however they have stricter rules for renewal and termination.

Unlimited Contracts

A Unlimited contract with the UAE doesn't have an end date fixed and can be ended by either party upon giving notice.

Flexible termination Employers and employees are able to terminate an unlimited contract at any time with notice, which makes this contract flexible.

Gratuity Rights The employees have the right to receive a gratuity in accordance with the number of years they have worked since their termination.

is a common choice for roles that last a long time Unlimited contracts are typically utilized for long-term and indefinite tasks, making them an increasingly popular option for permanent jobs.

Using Payroll Management Software for Compliance and Efficiency

Installing payroll management software will simplify the complicated demands for payroll for Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Here's how:

Automated Compliance Management

Payroll software helps with compliance by staying up-to-date on rules and regulations like GOSI, which is a part of Saudi Arabia and UAE regulations on employment.

Automated Calculation of Contributions It ensures the accuracy of GOSI and employee contributions to employers as well as employees working in Saudi Arabia.

Calculation of the Contract-Specific Gratification Calculates gratuities according to the conditions of limited contracts in the UAE.

Reduces the risk of errors made by manual Automating reduces the possibility of mistakes while ensuring that payroll processing is accurate.

Efficient Employee Benefits Management

The management of the benefits of employees through payroll software enables the administration of benefits to be simplified and improves employee satisfaction and efficiency of HR.

Self-Service Portals for Employees Employees have the ability to see their benefits, balances on leave and pay slips, increasing the transparency of their benefits.

Benefits packages that can be customized Payroll software allows you to handle a variety of benefits for employees including retirement and health insurance.

The Leave Management: Monitors annual absences, sick days, and other absences in order to calculate entitlements with precision.

Ideal for Small Businesses

For payroll firms that cater to small businesses employing tools for managing payroll is crucial to manage benefits and payroll with a limited amount of resources.

Cost-effective Many payroll software choices are designed to be accessible to small-sized companies.

Scalability as the business grows, payroll software is able to be adapted to handle a larger number of employees and the more complicated payroll requirements.

Time-Saving Automates tedious tasks. This frees HR resources to concentrate upon strategic projects.

Employee Benefits in Saudi Arabia & UAE

The provision of extensive employees with a wide range of benefits is essential for employers to keep and attract top talent from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Here's a list of the most common benefits that are offered:

Health Insurance

Insurance for health is a compulsory obligation to be covered in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with employers required to offer coverage to their employees.

Saudi The requirement Employers must provide healthcare insurance coverage to employees as well as their families.

UAE Requirements Health insurance is compulsory in all UAE residents. Employers generally cover dependent and employee insurance.

End-of-Service Gratuity

The end-of-service bonus is an important incentive for employees who work in UAE in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, calculated based on the length of their employment.

UAE Gratuity In the case of gratuity entitlements, they differ depending on the type of contract, whether unlimited or limited..

Saudi Gratuity Like similar to UAE, Saudi Arabia mandates gratuity payments to employees upon the completion of at two years of employment.

Leave Entitlements

Each country has its own specific regulations for annual leave,maternity leave and sick leave law. They must be effectively managed by payroll systems.

annual leave Employees have the right to at least 21 days of annual paid time off in the UAE.

sick leave The two countries Saudi Arabia and the UAE provide sick leave paid with specific limitations dependent on the length of employment.

Maternity Leave Employers are obliged to offer Maternity leaves in each country, generally between 45 and 90 days.

Insuring compliance with Payroll and Benefits regulations

For businesses operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and the UAE, compliance with requirements for benefits and payroll is vital to avoid penalties and create a positive work environment.

Best Practices for Compliance

Stay Up-to-date Review and update policies in order to be in sync with changes to GOSI laws in Saudi Arabia and UAE labor laws.

Install Payroll Software Make sure you invest in dependable HR payroll software to handle payroll and benefits as well as compliance easily.

Inform employees Keep employees updated about their rights and benefits as well as ensuring transparency and confidence.

Conclusion

Controlling the payroll process, GOSI compliance and employee benefits, managing employee benefits, GOSI compliance, and payroll Saudi Arabia and the UAE requires a deep knowledge of local regulations as well as effective HR strategies. With the help of complete payroll management tools and staying current in terms of contract rules, businesses can simplify their operations and increase satisfaction of employees. Utilizing technology, like the HR payroll management software provided by OPS helps to be compliant and help the workforce efficiently, which is essential to the long-term success of these ever-changing markets.

OPS offers customized solutions to help companies operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE adhere to the highest standards of compliance while offering the most efficient tools to manage the benefits of employees and payroll.

[digiliance548]

How Labor Compliance Software Can Save Your Business

In today's complex regulatory landscape, businesses across industries grapple with a myriad of labor laws and compliance mandates. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, legal battles, and reputational damage. Labor compliance software emerges as a strategic tool to mitigate these risks and safeguard your business's bottom line.

Understanding the Labor Compliance Challenge

Labor laws are intricate, with frequent updates and varying interpretations. Manual tracking and management are prone to errors, oversights, and inconsistencies. The consequences of non-compliance can be severe:

Financial penalties: Government-imposed fines can be substantial.

Legal fees: Disputes and lawsuits can drain resources.

Reputational damage: Negative publicity can erode customer trust.

Employee morale issues: Non-compliance can lead to decreased employee satisfaction and turnover.

The Role of Labor Compliance Software

Labor compliance software is designed to automate and streamline labor-related processes, ensuring adherence to complex regulations. Key functionalities include:

Time and Attendance Tracking: Accurately records employee hours, overtime, and breaks, preventing wage and hour violations.

Payroll Integration: Seamlessly integrates with payroll systems for accurate wage calculations and deductions.

Compliance Calendar: Tracks deadlines for various labor-related filings and notifications.

Document Management: Stores and organizes essential labor compliance documents.

Reporting and Analytics: Generates detailed reports on labor costs, compliance metrics, and potential risks.

How Labor Compliance Software Saves Your Business

Preventing Costly Penalties: By automating compliance tasks and reducing manual errors, the software minimizes the risk of wage and hour violations, overtime miscalculations, and other costly penalties.

Streamlining HR Processes: Automating time and attendance, payroll, and compliance tasks frees up HR staff to focus on strategic initiatives and employee relations.

Mitigating Legal Risks: The software helps maintain accurate records, reducing the likelihood of labor disputes and lawsuits.

Improving Employee Morale: Ensuring fair wages, accurate timekeeping, and compliance with labor laws enhances employee satisfaction and loyalty.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Comprehensive reports and analytics provide valuable insights into labor costs, productivity, and areas for improvement.

Choosing the Right Labor Compliance Software

Selecting the appropriate software involves considering several factors:

Business Size and Industry: The software should align with your organization's specific needs and industry regulations.

Features and Functionality: Evaluate the software's capabilities to meet your compliance requirements.

Cost and ROI: Consider the initial investment and long-term benefits of the software.

Vendor Reputation and Support: Choose a reputable vendor with excellent customer support.

Scalability: Ensure the software can accommodate your business's growth.

FAQs

Q: Is labor compliance software mandatory for all businesses? A: While not legally required in all cases, labor compliance software is highly recommended for businesses of all sizes to mitigate risks and ensure legal compliance.

Q: Can labor compliance software help with employee scheduling? A: Yes, many labor compliance software solutions offer scheduling features to optimize workforce utilization and prevent overtime violations.

Q: How long does it take to implement labor compliance software? A: Implementation time varies depending on the software complexity and business size. Typically, it can take several weeks to a few months.

Q: What is the return on investment (ROI) of labor compliance software? A: The ROI of labor compliance software is often measured in terms of cost savings from avoided penalties, increased efficiency, and improved employee morale.

Conclusion: Protect Your Business with Proactive Compliance

In today's complex regulatory environment, labor compliance is no longer an option but a necessity. By investing in robust labor compliance software, businesses can safeguard their bottom line, protect their reputation, and create a solid foundation for growth. Don't let labor compliance be a liability; transform it into a competitive advantage.

[maaarine]

English Just 'Badly Pronounced French', Paris Academic Says (Tom Barfield, Barron's, March 09 2024)

"French linguist Bernard Cerquiglini would like to send a copy of his new book, "The English language doesn't exist: it's badly pronounced French", to King Charles III. (…)

Norman French's use by the new colonial aristocracy endowed English with words that at first glance might look homegrown, like "cabbage", "lure" or "wage", in the 150 years after William the Conqueror took the throne.

But Cerquiglini is most interested by the 13th and 14th centuries, when French -- by then a second language used in trade, administration and law -- bled freely into English because "a job, fortunes in land or cash, upholding a contract, liberty or even one's life, could depend on mastering" the tongue.

Half of English's borrowings from French took place from 1260-1400, producing words like "bachelor", from the old French word "bachelier", meaning a young noble not yet a knight.

"Travel" is related to the modern French word for labour, "travail", while "clock" stems from the French "cloche", a bell struck to sound the hours before mechanical timepieces were invented.

By the time Shakespeare came to write his plays in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, around "40 percent of the 15,000 words in his works are of French origin", Cerquiglini notes.

These days the place of "Anglo-Saxon" words in modern French can stir defensiveness in Paris, often from the Academie Francaise, charged since 1635 with preserving the language in its "pure" form.

"Language in France is official, of the state, national. And so of course we have an academy" whose members enjoy "a ridiculous outfit, a sword, a palace by the Seine" river in Paris, Cerquiglini said.

In recent years the academy has railed against imports related to Covid-19, such as "cluster" or "testing", as well as tech terms like "big data".

Cerquiglini said the academy has scored some worthwhile wins, such as convincing the French-speaking world to use the native-sounding "logiciel" instead of the once-omnipresent "software".

But he added: "This isn't an invasion, these are French words that have gone for training in England and that are coming back to us.""

[unichrome]

AI and the value of labour (but only if it's yours)

Few of you have missed the whole AI/AI-art/ChatGPT-debate by now and even though few have the technical literacy to actually know what it is and its implementations, it hasn't stopped people from having opinions on it, and wow they sure are Opinions. It's mainly about how it's art-theft and will put already struggling artists out of business because now there's a chance that their dandelion found in a deviantart furry artwork they made using GIMP once will now be seen made sort of in the same style on a 250x250 pixel generated picture from a free online generator. And now I'm going to be snarky about it but also highlight a problem seen from the other end of this - the value of labour, and I'm not talking about the artists labour here.

But first let's look back a little bit for some well-needed perspective:

The logic for this is nothing we haven't seen before; you can't copy art and have it made available for just everyone to use like this! In the early 2000's it put musicians out of business and destroyed music forever with the introduction of napster. Pirate bay is why movies no longer are being made. It has destroyed art as we know it when people tauntingly right-clicked on a cryptobro's NFT and clicked "save as" (which I assume is also very problematic for the people who are vehemently against AI art? It's a literal 1-to-1 copy of your work). Media corporations are dying because intellectual properties are no longer protected under the copyright laws after 70 or so years. In the 90's there was even some video star who literally murdered a radio star. With the introduction of vinyl, it even killed live music forever.

So technology has been destroying just about all forms of art as we know it for a while now and each time it's the same doomsday predictions from the newly formed kind of art-christianity where some art has soul (Good, Skilled Laboured artists) and others hasn't (Evil, of course).

Now for the informative part of the post:

In the 1970's, computers as we know them today began forming, and with it, the value of a computer programmers skill and labour. Alongside with this, they saw a growing problem: Corporations owned everything they made, and corporations will also have the whole say about what will be present on a computer and the price of everything present on it.

This was not very appreciated by neither the programmers, and nor the customers (although few saw this growing problem coming). So in a weird twist of fate, programmers became one of the most left-wing labour-rights occupation you could find by forming Free Software Foundation, GNU, and essentially setting the stage for you to be able to use the free GIMP software instead of buying a staggering price for Adobe's Photoshop. It enabled you to download firefox instead of buying a copy of internet explorer. Because yes, before this kind of software activism formed, and the general environment of software development became to make it as freely available as possible - and having an outright despise for corporations like Novell and Microsoft for taking such huge amount of money to their own pockets instead of the developers, literally every piece of software cost money. A LOT of money.

This kind of 100% for free software usage we're used to has also led to us no longer being appreciative of the work and skill that goes behind keeping a software not only developed and updated continuously for decades, but also spending money on keeping it hosted and delivered to you for free. We even joke and scoff about the mere thought of having to pay 0.99 Euro for an app we'd use daily and a developer spent 2 years in the making. Meanwhile, when someone offers to pay someone merely 10 euro or so for a handmade blanket, there's an outrage about the value of labour and skill. And rightfully so! I support that, and so should you, even if it's labour that you weren't the one making.

And it doesn't end there either - we all know corporations has no trouble finding new ways to charge you money. Organisations like Free Software Foundation, various Linux projects and Mozilla have campaigned for a freer usage in general, leading to fair-use laws, campaigning for the right to repair your technology instead of having to buy new one all the time, as well as preventing corporations from banning every other piece of software on a computer that they don't want you to have (from a competitor or free alternative of their software).

I mentioned Adobe specifically, because in the wave of anti-AI-art outcry, artists are campaigning for a ban on making software that uses other peoples artistic similarities (not copies mind you, similarities, meaning making it a copyright infringement to have art that is similar to yours, since that's what AI-art algorithms create), and I'm sure right off the bat many of you can see the huge problem with that, but Adobe sure isn't. They're also gladly in on this, because that would mean that free alternatives of Photoshop like GIMP would also become a copyright infringement. So would a lot of our other free software we use daily and take for granted.

That's all I wanted to say about this I think. The TL;DR version is basically to value labour even if it isn't yours, and to not take it for granted. As a final part to remember about AI is that it is a tool, and like any tool it can be used for good or evil. AI is what made it possible for us to make sense of the large hadron collider data and made enormous leaps in scientific discovery in just a few years, that would otherwise had taken 500 years to sort through by humans, and with a much higher rate of error.

[cindylouwho-2]

RECENT ECOMMERCE NEWS (INCLUDING ETSY), AUGUST 2024

Hello, and welcome to my very last Ecommerce News update here on Tumblr.

After today, these reports will now be found at least twice a week on my Patreon, available to all paid members. See more about this change here on my website blog: https://www.cindylouwho2.com/blog/2024/8/12/a-new-way-to-get-ecommerce-news-and-help-welcome-to-my-patreon-page

Don't worry! I will still be posting some short pieces here on Tumblr (as well as some free pieces on my Patreon, plus longer posts on my website blog). However, the news updates and some other posts will be moving to Patreon permanently.

Please follow me there! https://www.patreon.com/CindyLouWho2

TOP NEWS & ARTICLES 

Etsy has banned gift certificates/cards sold by individual shops, as of Sept 15. Only Etsy Gift Cards are now allowed. The second quarter report press release says they plan on selling Etsy Gift Cards through third parties, but no official word on how and when yet.

Many Amazon Handmade sellers were unable to list new items after a site update on July 31 [post by me on LinkedIn]. While Amazon told sellers to apply for an exemption from the Product ID requirement, some report that is not working, or that they do not have the option to apply for one. 

Reminder that Canadian Etsy shops will be charged a 1.15% Regulatory Operating fee on the item price and shipping cost as of August 15. [I’ve set a bunch of things to expire. If Etsy isn’t profitable enough to pay its taxes, maybe they should consider cutting executive pay instead of squeezing microbusinesses even more.]

ETSY NEWS 

Etsy has updated its Privacy Policy, to take effect August 31. Changes include mention of biometric data. Note that some parts of the policy are screenshots, and therefore not easily searchable nor accessible to screen readers - I am not sure how they can get away with that. I used the Wayback Machine to do a comparison of the parts that software can actually read.   There’s also a new US regional privacy policy, which currently covers laws in several states.  

Etsy is promoting a Labour Day sale August 21-September 2, and has already set up the "Cyber Savings Sale" (November 18-December 3) for Cyber Week. You can schedule the official sales through links in the announcement.

Forbes covered Etsy’s sex toy ban [soft paywall; not safe for work photos]. To no one's surprise, plenty of the banned items are still found on site, including toys and vintage Playboy magazines. 

Etsy is accused of allowing shops based in “illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory” and profiting off of them. Etsy’s response: "[W]e have shared this information internally with the appropriate teams for review."

Etsy's promised program for buyers - Etsy Insider - will be rolling out as invite-only beta in September. It's a paid membership for US buyers and includes:

Free US domestic shipping on millions of items

A birthday bonus

Limited edition annual gift, designed by an Etsy seller

First access to special discounts and select merchandise

While some of the "special discounts" are paid by sellers, that is a voluntary program shops can sign up for here. That form also allows you to sign up to offer new items to Etsy Insiders first - “drops” - which does not involve offering discounts. Etsy has done these sorts of "offers" in the past, and I believe they have already reached out to sellers for the first round of offers in September (based on some emails I have received from shop owners).

You can now sign up for “Etsy Up”, the virtual sellers conference scheduled for September 10. However, despite saying they have announced “our agenda”, all that is provided is a vague set of topics (other than the fact they will be announcing the Etsy Design Awards Finalists). It makes me wonder if there are official Etsy announcements coming soon that they don’t want to reveal too early by posting the real agenda. If yes, around August 15 is a good bet, given that  Etsy’s Search Analytics will end that day, and many new policies kick in on September 15, just one month later.

The Etsy app is showing rectangular listing images in search for some visitors, but it appears to be a test [Reddit thread with screenshot]. I wouldn’t change anything at this time. 

No, Etsy has not replaced your listing tags. I covered that topic here on LinkedIn. 

I wrote about the new Listing Image Requirement policy and the email Etsy sent to some sellers on Monday July 29. [post by me on Patreon] And not everyone is being fooled by Etsy’s new Creativity Standards, but some acknowledge it will be difficult for Etsy to turn away factory-made goods at this point. [Disclosure: I am quoted in that article]

ECOMMERCE NEWS (minus social media)

Amazon

Amazon’s second quarter revenue was below expectations, and the company predicts nothing better in the third quarter. 

In a surprising change, Amazon has decided to cancel overage fees for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) inventory storage, retroactive to July 1. 

Canadian Amazon sellers will be subject to a new digital services fee as of October 1. This is due to Canada’s new digital services tax. 

In a case that may have an impact on other larger ecommerce sites, a court ruled that Amazon is responsible for recalls of products sold through Amazon, including through “Fulfilled By Amazon”. 

US Amazon shoppers can now link their Pinterest and TikTok accounts to Amazon to be able to buy directly from Amazon ads on social media. This is already available on Facebook, Instagram and Snap. 

Amazon is changing its refund policy for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) users: if sellers do not receive an automatic reimbursement for loss, damage and returns, they will now only have 60 days to apply for one.  A lot of ecommerce experts think Amazon is making a mistake in setting up a China to US section on the site.

eBay

eBay second quarter revenue and profit was higher than expected, but the third quarter projections are low.  

The eBay app has taken a lot of flack for inserting ads between each item in a purchase history. 

Poshmark

As marketplaces popular for pre-owned items compete for the best new stock, Poshmark is offering “rewards” for listing at least 1 item a week. 

Shopify

Shopify had a better-than-expected second quarter, and expects a decent third quarter as well. Getting larger businesses to use Shopify has helped the tech company, but I still wonder how that affects the small and micro businesses who used to be the target market.

Walmart

The Walmart Marketplace has added Chile as its fourth country, after the US, Canada and Mexico. 

All Other Marketplaces

Hundreds of business owners who sell on Temu held a protest at the marketplace headquarters on July 29. Fines for returns are one cited issue. 

Payment Processing

Credit cards issued by Chase in the US will no longer allow third-party buy-now-pay-later purchases, as of October 10. Conveniently, they offer their own option, Chase Pay Over Time. PayPal has expanded the quicker checkout solution Fastlane to all US businesses, which fills in customer information without a log in.

[thessalian]

Thess vs Big Brother

For those of you who aren't aware (because I know a lot of you are USian or at least not being here in the UK, and there's a lot going on right now), there have been some ... issues ... in the UK the last little while. And by "issues", I mean "alt-right riots". Supposedly rallies, but y'know. More are expected over the weekend. I will be staying indoors as much as possible, even though I did have plans to be Out And About at least a little this weekend. A nearby borough already had its bits of violence not all that long ago, and that was severely under-reported. If anyplace else in London is going to have some of that shit (because Whitehall, while it makes a statement, isn't a place where you'll find mosques or businesses run by non-white people the way, say, Clapham or Peckham or most of outer London), it'll be in that borough. Those who are now having to call themselves "anti-racists", since all of the other terms for "not an asshole" have been turned into insults, are planning counter-protests. So ... yeah. Riots.

The reason for this particular blog entry title is what our relatively new PM, Kier Starmer, wants to do about it. What he wants to do is expand the use of live facial recognition technology. Which, because we're not in the EU anymore and we left before the EU laws we had to write into our own human rights record could catch up with the technology, is a highly under-regulated technology. Hell, Starmer suggested this expanded use of facial recognition on the same day that the EU passed a law largely banning the use of facial recognition software.

Please understand that this is talking about shit like checking whether someone's on the Naughty List before they're allowed to so much as board a train, and phrases like, "where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the individual depicted is about to cause an offense". Emphasis mine, because we already know that five people got arrested and sentenced to years in jail just for talking about a protest on fucking Zoom. Stuff like this could be used to go, say, "Well, this guy was under suspicion of planning a protest, and he wants to go to Liverpool; he shouldn't be allowed to go and cause trouble in Liverpool, so he is not allowed on the train".

Combine live facial recognition technology (which already struggles with identifying Black people) and the various recent bills that allow for much greater stop-and-search powers, and no legal restrictions on how this can be used? It's a fucking human rights nightmare. We've already got voter ID; apparently shit like this amounts to having a national ID scheme. Except instead of some jackboot-wearing asshole asking to see your papers, they'll just point a bodycam at you and let you hope to hell that it doesn't read your face wrong. Or right, honestly. We've thrown "innocent until proven guilty" out the fucking window because they don't even wait until you've done anything.

And this is the response to white supremacist assholes rioting, attacking mosques, and stabbing thirteen people at a dance class. "Let's implement a solution that will most negatively affect the people these white supremacist assholes are actually attacking! YAAAAAAY!"

Fuck this country. Fuck it right in the ear. And fuck Labour. Then again, the Tories would probably have been worse at this point. Though I wonder how the white supremacist assholes would have felt with Rishi Sunak, who is not exactly white, still being Prime Minister. Then again, they'd have preferred Farage, who is not quite encouraging violence this weekend but is saying that it's an inevitability and will only get worse. On Formerly-Twitter. It's the fascist asshole's tacit permission, and we all know it. Especially the people who will use it as such and throw a brick through some poor shopkeeper's window. Or worse.

This place scares me and I can't complain to my mother because she very much believes in "if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear" and supports things like banning face coverings and the like Because Terrorism. Then again, she lost so many friends on 9/11 and I sometimes think that got to her in ways she hasn't really tried to explore in, say, therapy. Me? I believe until innocent until proven guilty, and too much of this doesn't really seem to care if you're guilty, and while it's being talked about in the context of alt-right riots, you know that's not how it'll be used long-term.

*whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine*

[captain-hawks]

Dee my beloved!! I missed you so very much these past couple of weeks! I have post notifications for you turned on so every time I got a lil notification from you I would be like c: when I saw your url and then :c bc I was usually too distracted/busy to come on here esp bc I need a laptop for the level of word vomit I usually conjure up for your precious thoughts and words.

I hope you're feeling better, so sorry to hear you were sick. I spent 20 hours making over 2 gallons of noodle soup and all its accoutrement for my bf's surprise bday party so I'm virtually sharing it with you. It's a bun rieu with plenty of Dungeness crab topped with lots of fresh veggie and herbs and homemade crab meatballs and herby fish paste and lil porky meatballs.

Did you do anything fun over labor day/are you prepping for fall in any way? I'm switching out my candlessss even though it is still a hellscape where I am and will feel like living on the surface of the sun until November.

I missed your AMA so can I ask now? What's the most embarassing thing that's happened to you in recent memory? Bc I flew home for a wedding and although it was for the son of beloved family friends (the son i also consider a brother figure), some people should not get schwasty in public bc the father of the groom came over loudly proclaim/lament that he wished *i* was becoming his daughter in law instead. At his son's wedding to a very sweet lady I adore. Five separate times. With people all around. I wanted to return 2 the sea. I wanted to be left alone in a corner with the 6 ebooks I had downloaded. I literally hid in a restroom for 75 minutes and risked everybody thinking I had The Shits just so I could get some peace to myself.

Anyways, before I go I am going to leave you with some of the final product of the cake I was telling you about that I was testing different components for. I really wish I could actually share with y'all instead of just telling you and cate about it in chats but until wonkavision is invented I'll pretend sending a pic is the same thing. I settled on double vanilla brown butter cake/pickled cayenne strawberry compote/yuzu and lemon curd liquid cheesecake/graham milk crumb. The layers didn't come out as cleanly as I'd hoped but I might try another one with white and yellow peaches (macerated? Cooked into a jam or Japanese style syrup?) and a Mango curd to squeeze every last bit of summer fruit season out.

If kita-non is around and for some reason bothers to read my inane prattle can i pls share a slice with u too. The couple times I got to skim your thoughts these past few weeks I was spending time offline I wanted to give your brain a big ole squeeze. Just lookin' at the pair of you with hearts in my eyes like look at u guys go torturing us with sweet sweet kita thoughts. We can pretend he supplied the fruits used in the cake ❤

I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE BACK 😭🫶!!!!!

i was still feeling quite cruddy over labour day weekend, but i DID go hunt down the CVS puffer jacket snoopy plushie....a personal accomplishment 😂 (he was hard to find!). also i’m planning to bust out my giant totes of halloween decorations this weekend!!! my fall candles are staring at me adoringly from the closet ready to take over.

I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR MISFORTUNE????? i cannot believe. i, too, would have called the bathroom my new home to never be perceived again. (has anyone informed sober!dad of his big drunk mouth????)

so this is secondhand embarrassment until i come up with a better story BUT i was on a zoom meeting at work today, and a man was pitching software to my boss & i. said man realized 40 minutes in that the software actually isn’t even available in my geographical region and thus he had completely wasted our time. i watched his soul leave his body through the screen. the most awkward goodbye followed.

also if i magically appear in your pocket at some point like a tiny creature with its hands out begging for food, it’s because every time you describe something you’ve made, i yearn like no tomorrow. that soup sounds divine?? AND THE CAKE!!!!! THE CAKE!!!!!!!! it’s beautiful. it puts other cake to shame. i will dream of this cake. it will haunt me.

[beardedmrbean]

Hundreds of people wrongly convicted in the Post Office scandal are set to have their names cleared under new legislation planned by the government.

The law is expected to come into effect by the end of July and will apply to convictions in England and Wales.

It will apply to convictions meeting specific criteria and is expected to clear the majority of victims.

The government said the possible exoneration of some genuinely guilty of crimes was "a price worth paying".

Between 1999 and 2015, more than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted due to faulty software.

Incorrect information provided by a computer system called Horizon, developed by Japanese firm Fujitsu, meant that sub-postmasters and postmistresses were prosecuted for stealing money.

Many of those convicted went to prison for false accounting and theft. Many were financially ruined.

Some sub-postmasters caught up in the scandal have died or taken their own lives in the intervening years. So far, 102 convictions have been overturned.

Keith Bell had been a sub-postmaster in Stockton-on-Tees since 1985, but like hundreds of others, he started noticing discrepancies in his accounts after Horizon was installed in his branch.

He called Post Office helplines, but was given little support. He spent more than £12,000 of his own money to make up the shortfalls, and eventually delayed some transactions to try to balance the books.

He was convicted of false accounting in 2002 and had to do 200 hours of community service.

He didn't challenge his conviction at the time, as he didn't have the means to take on the Post Office, and he believed he had been at fault.

But now the 75-year-old wants his name cleared and expects his conviction to be quashed.

"I'm relieved they are going to quash all the convictions, which is long overdue," he said in response to the announcement on Thursday. "It's a relief to be able to talk to friends. It's a relief to be able to look people in the eye now."

Post Office scandal: The Horizon saga explained

How do the Post Office scandal compensation schemes work?

The issue was thrust back into the spotlight by an ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, earlier this year.

Criticism had said that the process for overturning convictions and getting compensation was far too slow.

There are three main schemes aimed at groups of victims who had different experiences of the scandal - but the schemes have been accused of being long-winded and complicated.

Announcing the plans, Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake said the legislation was likely to "exonerate a number of people who were, in fact, guilty of a crime".

But he said: "The government accepts that this is a price worth paying in order to ensure that many innocent people are exonerated."

Some 700 people were prosecuted by the Post Office. Another 283 cases were brought by other agencies including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Prosecutions by the DWP will not be quashed under the new law.

Mr Hollinrake said the new legislation would overturn all convictions that met certain criteria. It will only cover:

convictions from the Post Office and CPS

"relevant offences", such as theft and false accounting

sub-postmasters and their employees or family members

cases where the offence took place during the time that the Horizon system (and its pilots) was in operation

cases where the convicted person was working in a Post Office that was using the Horizon system software (including relevant pilot schemes)

cases in England and Wales

However, the government said it would work with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive to ensure their schemes to quash convictions were "compatible with the UK compensation scheme".

Labour MP Kevan Jones said he welcomed news of the legislation but added it was vital that the government set aside enough time for the new law to be passed "as quickly as possible".

"There are some initial key questions that need answering, including whether the Post Office's Capture system counts as a 'pilot' of the Horizon system for the purposes of this bill."

Mr Hollinrake added that he recognised the "constitutional sensitivity" of the planned legislation, but added it did not set a precedent for the future relationship between the government, Parliament and the judiciary.

"The scale and circumstances of this prosecutorial misconduct demands an exceptional response," he said.

"We are keen to ensure that the legislation achieves its goal of bringing prompt justice to all of those who were wrongfully convicted as a result of the scandal, followed by rapid financial redress."

[landwriter]

Hello! I was hoping that maybe you would consider reposting what you had to say about ai art and qo3 in a different post? 👉👈 the OP of that post has made it unrebloggable which fair enough but I'd really be able to have you meausred take to point to when people ask me about it

congrats it's this post! originally written dec 1/22: (context/unrebloggable post here)

data scraping to train AI is really common and if you post things in public places you can expect machines to be fed it these days. nobody asks permission of you. even if they should. if it's on the internet it can be downloaded and will be downloaded and often repurposed/redistributed/repackaged/resold. even if it's behind log-in walls and paywalls.

this is not the first time for-profit AI has been trained on copyrighted works (x)

if this is true that Sudowrites has scraped Ao3, archive-locking all your existing works will not remove them from the dataset. archive-locking any subsequent fics may exclude those from future datasets.

however it is easy to simulate being logged on using a script (x)

this information is only a day old and yet to be confirmed beyond "seems fucking likely"

ao3 has been made aware of it and has requested people stop sending in support tickets about it

elon musk sure is a guy but he is not personally involved in this. he left openai, the research group that produced the tech used by sudowrites, in 2019 (x)

this is a very new field with developing legal precedent and the social and ethical concerns of AI trained on human labours to reproduce similar things for cheaper are not going to go away anytime soon. i hope more people get involved in the discussion because of this!

i understand otw has a legal fund so maybe fanfic will become a part of that case law. that would be neato

on a user by user basis, personally, i am sitting tight. i am unsurprised. the notion of stories made for free and out of passion being fed into a sausage maker to train software that can sell stories for cheaper than the rates of the humans who do get paid for it is distressing. nonetheless i am not going to archive-lock my fics at this time because probably 98% of my reading consumption was as a guest and i think if algorithms get our stories humans without accounts should too. i am also not confident it would change anything at this point. i respect anyone's decision to archive-lock their stories and understand the desire to do so. i am privately extremely relieved to be on the right side of wall bc two months ago i'd be wondering where all my half-read fics had gone hahaha

[labourlawsinindia]

Automated Labour Law Audits and Compliance Software — SEAL

Simpliance’s revolutionary automated statutory audit platform driven by AI & Machine Learning technology is helping companies reduce costs by 50% while conducting 100% audit checks of all records submitted and exponentially increasing audit speed.

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

First of its kind AI & Machine Learning driven audit platform in India enabling compliance at a click

100% EMPLOYEE RECORDS CHECKED

Automated engine, checking 100% records on all high-risk audit points of labour compliance

VARYING PAYROLL INPUT FORMATS

Capable of analysing varying payroll input formats from different softwares

INTEGRATED REGISTER GENERATION

Automated state-wise statutory register generation; PAN India under all applicable laws

Book your FREE DEMO now!

[opspayroll]

UAE Employment Contracts: Unlimited vs. Limited and Dubai Labor Laws

When working or hiring in the UAE, understanding the two main types of employment contracts—unlimited and limited—is crucial. Each contract type has its unique terms and conditions that affect everything from job security to termination rights. This blog will break down the differences, highlight the key aspects of Dubai labor contracts, and guide you on choosing the right contract type for your business or career in the UAE.

What is an Unlimited Contract in the UAE?

An unlimited contract in the UAE is an open-ended employment agreement. It does not specify a fixed duration of employment and provides flexibility for both the employer and employee. These contracts are popular for roles that are ongoing, where no clear end date is required.

Key features of an unlimited contract include:

No set end date.

Either party can terminate the contract, provided appropriate notice is given.

Commonly used for long-term employment relationships.

Termination of an Unlimited ContractIn an unlimited contract, either party can terminate the employment by providing notice, usually between 30 and 90 days. Employees under this type of contract are entitled to severance pay based on their length of service.

Tip: Unlimited contracts offer greater job security, making them attractive for employees seeking long-term stability.

What is a Limited Contract in the UAE?

A limited contract in the UAE is a fixed-term agreement where both the start and end dates of the employment are clearly stated. Typically lasting for two to three years, this contract type is ideal for specific project-based roles or positions with a clear end date.

Key features of a limited contract include:

Defined start and end dates.

Automatic expiration unless renewed.

Termination before the end of the contract term may result in penalties for either party.

Termination of a Limited ContractIf a limited contract is terminated before the agreed-upon end date, the party responsible for the termination may be required to compensate the other party. This compensation usually equals the salary for the remainder of the contract period or up to three months' salary.

Tip: Limited contracts are often used for projects or seasonal jobs and offer clearer terms of service duration.

Dubai Labor Contract: Key Insights

If you're working in or hiring for a position based in Dubai, it’s important to note that Dubai labor contracts adhere to the UAE's labor laws but may include specific guidelines due to the local legal framework. Whether you're dealing with a Dubai labor contract under a free zone or on the mainland, here are key points to consider:

Legal Framework: Dubai follows federal labor law but has specific rules under free zones such as DIFC and JAFZA.

Salary and Wages: Employers must comply with minimum wage laws and ensure timely salary payments.

Employee Rights: Dubai labor contracts must respect employee rights, including timely payments, end-of-service gratuity, and appropriate leave.

Note: Employers in Dubai should familiarize themselves with local regulations and ensure their employment contracts comply with both UAE labor laws and specific Dubai requirements.

Key Considerations for Employers and Employees

When deciding between an unlimited contract and a limited contract in the UAE, both employers and employees should consider the following:

Nature of the Job: Is the job project-based or long-term? For short-term projects, a limited contract is more appropriate, while for ongoing roles, an unlimited contract is often preferred.

Employee Rights: Understand the severance pay and end-of-service gratuity rules for each contract type. Unlimited contracts may offer more flexible severance pay, while limited contracts involve strict penalties for premature termination.

Job Security: Employees seeking long-term stability may prefer unlimited contracts. However, limited contracts offer clearly defined periods of employment, ideal for project-based roles.

Legal Obligations: Both contract types are governed by UAE labor laws, and it's crucial to adhere to these legal obligations to avoid disputes or penalties.

Benefits of Each Contract Type

Both unlimited contracts and limited contracts offer distinct advantages, depending on the employer's business needs and the employee's career goals.

Advantages of Unlimited Contracts:

Greater job security for employees.

Flexibility in termination, provided notice is given.

Well-suited for long-term roles and stable employment.

Advantages of Limited Contracts:

Clear terms of employment with defined start and end dates.

Ideal for project-based or seasonal roles.

Provides a structured employment relationship.

Summary: Choosing the right contract type involves balancing job security, flexibility, and the nature of the work. Employers and employees should assess their individual needs before committing to a contract type.

Final Thoughts on UAE Employment Contracts

The UAE offers a well-regulated employment system with both unlimited and limited contracts to meet diverse business needs. Employers must ensure compliance with UAE labor laws and select the contract type that aligns with their business requirements. Employees, on the other hand, should carefully review their contract terms to protect their rights and job security.

Whether you're hiring in Dubai or working in the UAE, understanding the nuances of unlimited and limited contracts is crucial for making informed decisions. By choosing the right contract type, you can establish a productive and legally sound employment relationship.

For expert advice and assistance with your UAE employment contracts, OPS is here to help. As a trusted partner, OPS ensures that your business is compliant with UAE labor laws while providing tailored solutions for your employment needs. Contact OPS today for reliable support in navigating your labor contracts and ensuring your company’s success!

[indipopcorn]

97000 Indians held trying to enter illegally - Ever wondered why?

According to US Customs and Border Protection data, a record-breaking 96,917 Indians were apprehended while unlawfully crossing into the US between October 2022 and September 2023. This marks a fivefold increase compared to 2019-20.

Although this news is not shocking to anyone, it is shocking when discussing the magnificence of our country. I've seen over the years that Indian expatriates write more about their affection for their own country. Regretfully, they have no desire to go back to India and aid in its growth. People who do not reside here are trolling those who write about the issues we face.

Our beloved Prime Minister is unquestionably a fantastic leader with a vision to improve India, but that doesn't mean that young people can’t voice their concerns and opinions. In reality, when you make your opinion in a civil manner, society benefits. Yes, in a polite way.

One of my cousins, who excelled in GTU's IT programme, was employed by a reputable private company in this area. She was earning a meagre wage while working a certain number of hours. Due to our large population, we have little opportunities and no labour laws. She later travelled to the USA. In less than a year, she managed to land a position as a software engineer, receiving a respectable salary in addition to recognition for her degree. She's also got her mental health back.

One of the women I met was having marital issues. Her life has gotten worse as a result of her decision to file for divorce. She needed to isolate herself from civilization. In society, even her parents experienced some form of psychological abuse. Her only goal in life was to move to Australia, live a dignified life, and become financially independent.

Here, girls are entitled to their parents' property, but if they have a boy, they are not entitled to it, and in such cases, they must stay at their parents' home as guests.

One of my friends was having trouble getting a job. He spent five years without a job while he studied for the government examination. It was harder for him because he belongs to the general category. His family wants him to immigrate to Canada in any way possible since they believe that society has wrecked his mental health.

A man who lives in Ahmedabad's Old City and comes from a lower middle class household. He and his family had great hardship in society, but ever since his family immigrated to Canada, he has gained some notoriety.

[mariacallous]

Alexis Tsipras, leader of the opposition left-wing SYRIZA, on Wednesday filed a motion of no-confidence in the conservative government of New Democracy leader and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the wiretapping scandal.

The Authority for Communication Security and Privacy ADAE, on Tuesday, sent its findings on the wiretapping case to the speaker of parliament and the party leaders.

For almost a year, the government has been buffeted by revelations about the surveillance of politicians, journalists and others by the National Intelligence Service, NIS, and the use of illegal Predator software.

The government has only admitted that Nikos Androulakis, president of PASOK, the third largest party in parliament, was under NIS surveillance. However, Androulakis and the journalist Thanasis Koukakis was also a target of the illegal software.

Tsipras presented six names that, according to ADAE’s report, were monitored by the NIS: Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs; Konstantinos Floros, head of the General Staff; Charalambos Lalousis, chief-of-staff of the army, the former General Directors of Defence Equipment and Investments Theodoros Lagios and Aristides Alexopoulos, and Alexandros Diakopoulos, a former security advisor.

Tsipras accused the government and the PM of guilt and of endangering Greek security. “The Prime Minister and the government are deeply guilty; they are dangerous for democracy and for the country’s security; that is why I am filing a motion of no confidence against the government.”

By law, parliament can only withdraw its confidence from the government following a motion of no confidence, which must be signed by at least one-sixth of all MPs.

[official-saul-goodman]

Like why am i getting treated like I'm suddenly pro copyright law and like anti software development because i am anti publicly available AI lmao? Like we also know that these ai models require stupid amounts of resources to run and are founded on unpaid labour. Fucking incredible the way ppl act like ai is somehow the messiah when it's got the same audience as crypto lmao

[markwateneymemorialcrater]

Part of it is the barrier of entry to make an art making AI is a lot lower than a ship scrapping machine.

To make software, you need a computer and access to data, which the internet abundantly supplies (if sometimes unethically)

To build a scrapping machine you need mechanics, engineers, skilled trades, software engineers, money for materials and prototyping, and someone who can navigate and cut through laws and red tape.

Compound that on the fact that ship scrapping is mostly done in poor countries where labour is cheap. There isn’t the incentive to invest in automation.

[Image description: A series of posts from Jason Lefkowitz @jalefkowit@octodon.social dated Dec 08, 2022, 04:33, reading:

It's good that our finest minds have focused on automating writing and making art, two things human beings do simply because it brings them joy. Meanwhile tens of thousands of people risk their lives every day breaking down ships, a task that nobody is in a particular hurry to automate because those lives are considered cheap https://www.dw.com/en/shipbreaking-recycling-a-ship-is-always-dangerous/a-18155491 (Headline: 'Recycling a ship is always dangerous.' on Deutsche Welle) A world where computers write and make art while human beings break their backs cleaning up toxic messes is the exact opposite of the world I thought I was signing up for when I got into programming

/end image description]