“How is there no money?”: Tunisian garment workers fight for unpaid wages in pandemic’s shadow
LAYLI FOROUDI, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how the coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on widespread labour abuses in Tunisia’s garment industry…
“Life is precious” say Indian migrants fleeing COVID-hit cities
Mumbai, IndiaThomson Reuters Foundation Amid India’s COVID-19 crisis, migrant workers are abandoning cities and heading for their villages in droves in a repeat of last year’s exodus when the lockdown shut industries and left them jobless – but this time they are worried about safety. India’s toll from the coronavirus surged past 200,000 on Wednesday […]
“Dystopia Prime”: Amazon AI van cameras spark surveillance concerns
Berlin, GermanyThomson Reuters Foundation Amazon.com Inc’s announcement this week that it would be rolling out AI-powered cameras in its branded delivery vans for safety has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and workers concerned with being subjected to surveillance on the job. The world’s largest e-commerce firm said the cameras, which are developed by transportation technology […]
Easing labour laws in Brazil seen putting workers at risk in pandemic
Rio de Janeiro, BrazilThomson Reuters Foundation Safety measures protecting Brazilian labourers against work in dangerous conditions are coming under threat by the government’s efforts to ease regulations during the coronavirus pandemic, labour authorities warn. One regulation was altered already to restrict labour inspectors’ authority to shut down dangerous workplaces, and other changes are proposed by […]
Government contractors could refuse LGBT+ workers under new US religious exemption
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation US businesses with Federal Government contracts would be allowed not to hire LGBT+ candidates on religious grounds under a proposed rule announced on Wednesday by the US Department of Labor. The policy change would state that government contractors, including universities, hospitals and corporations, can claim religious exemptions in employment […]
Mexico plans special minimum wage for domestic workers in drive to curb abuse
Monterrey, MexicoThomson Reuters Foundation Mexico’s government is planning to introduce a specific minimum wage for its 2 million domestic workers in a drive to boost their labour rights after years of neglect, a official said. Activists, academics, and government officials met this week to discuss fixing a unique minimum wage for the workers in a country where the […]
ETHICAL FASHION: PRESSURE ON AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES SEEING INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENTS BUT STILL “A DISTANCE TO GO” REPORT FINDS
DAVID ADAMS reports on the findings of the seventh annual Ethical Fashion Report from Baptist World Aid Australia…
POSTCARDS: UNDERPAID AND ABUSED, GUINEA-BISSAU’S DOMESTIC WORKERS SEEK PROTECTION
NELLIE PEYTON, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports…
Most big companies failing UN human rights test, ranking shows
Thomson Reuters Foundation Most big companies operating in sectors at high risk of labour abuses are failing to meet human rights standards set by the United Nations, according to an analysis of 100 major companies published on Monday. From tackling child labour to ensuring equal treatment for women, UN principles require all businesses prove they […]
World needs workers’ rights ‘revolution’ to end modern slavery – experts
Thomson Reuters Foundation The world will not end modern-day slavery by focusing on legal action alone and should back a workers’ rights “revolution” to protect people from exploitation and forced labour, lawyers, academics and campaigners have told a conference. Governments regard modern slavery and trafficking mainly as a criminal matter rather than as a human […]