Labor Standards

The Hidden Victims of Human Trafficking

Nisha Varia | Posted 08.29.2011

Read More: Women's Rights, Domestic Workers, Human Rights, Asia, Middle East, Maids, State Department, Labor Standards, International Labor Organization, Human Trafficking, World News
Nisha Varia

Being forced into domestic servitude is one of the most common forms of human trafficking. Yet it remains one of the most invisible, including meager media coverage and law enforcement efforts.

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An American Industrial Renaissance?

Robert Kuttner | Posted 05.27.2011

Read More: Outsourcing, Suppliers, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Markets, Japan Economy, General Electric, Apple, Japan Tsunami, Industry, Electronics, Labor Standards, Business News
Robert Kuttner

In the sorting out of the wreckage after Japan's earthquake and tsunami, many Americans have begun paying more attention to a phrase they had barely known -- "supply chains."

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Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Cries Wolf Over Earned Sick Days

Jake Blumgart | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Paid Sick Days, Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia, Paid Sick Leave, Cry Wolf, Labor Standards, Business News
Jake Blumgart

Business owners tend to be small "c" conservative: Afraid of any change and eager to keep conditions stable, and uncomplicated. That's fine. But we shouldn't let their status quo bias prevent us from protecting our citizenry.

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Rescued Chilean Miners Greeted As Heroes -- but They're Also Victims

Mike Elk | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Chile, Chilean Miners, International Labor Organization, Labor Standards, Chile Miners, World News
Mike Elk

The Chilean miners are being viewed as heroes, but some disagree with this characterization. Many in the labor movement complain that news accounts have ignored the poor treatment of workers by the mining company,

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A New Labor Standard for Labor Day: Paid Sick Leave

Jake Blumgart | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Paid Sick Leave, Health Policy, Labor Day, Cry Wolf, Job-Killers, Labor Standards, Politics News
Jake Blumgart

All employees should be able to take time off for their illnesses, not just those lucky enough to have the right job. Experience shows that we can make our economy friendlier to beleaguered workers without harming their employers.

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Labor Standards: There's an App for That

Roger Alford | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Foxconn, Apple, Chinese Factory Suicide, Foxconn Suicides, Technology News, Slidepollajax, Chinese Factory and Suicide, Hp, China, Labor Standards, Technology News
Roger Alford

If you scratch beneath the surface, Apple's own social audit report paints a different picture of its suppliers. It is a picture of employees who are routinely being underpaid, overworked, and poorly supervised.

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Eco-Extrava-gay-ances

Michael DeJong | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Blood Diamonds, Eco-Values, Fashion Industry, Sustainable Luxury, Clean Diamonds, Economy, Disposable Income, Zeitgeist, Green Living, Labor-Standards, Tree-Hugger, Environmental, Luxury-Brands, Carbon Offsets, Eco-Effectiveness, Greenwashing, Bling, Cradle-to-Cradle, Granola, Global Warming, Gay Marriage, Fair Trade, Socially Responsible, Green News
Michael DeJong

In an industry-wide turn-around, many high-end labels are trying to change their luxury goods businesses by "double air kissing" new environmental and labor standards.

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Celebrate Human Rights Day by Honoring the Human Rights of Domestic Workers

Priscilla Gonzalez and Rebecca Smith | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Legal Rights, Protection, Domestic Help, Human Rights, Nannies, Economy, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Domestic Workers, Housekeepers, Labor Standards, Caregivers, Politics News
Priscilla Gonzalez and Rebecca Smith

Many domestic workers have no legal right to overtime pay or a day off. Should they fall ill, suffer injury, or become unemployed, the vast majority do not qualify for benefits.

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