Stories about Labor
Harrowing tales from African domestic workers in Lebanon
African domestic workers are essentially slaves in the Gulf and Arab countries, under the Kafala sponsorship system that allows this exploitation and abuse to continue.
Afghan migrants continue to die in the hands of Iranian authorities
While millions of Afghans have found refuge in neighboring Iran, some of them also die in the hands of Iranian authorities as they cross the country to reach Europe.
Labour, migrant rights under spotlight as Thailand wrestles with COVID-19 impact
Fearing instability, the Thai government is failing to protect the labor rights of both Thai nationals and migrant workers.
Stranded Nepali migrant workers protest to return home, Nepali government drags its feet
Nepal's government tries to stall repatriating migrant workers stranded abroad.
Truck drivers blamed for spread of COVID-19 in East Africa
Truck drivers in East Africa face an onslaught of new COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in borders towns — causing confusion, fear, endless traffic queues, protests and disrupted trade.
As tourism declines in Cambodia, tuk-tuk drivers are down and out in Phnom Penh
"Today, I have not provided one service, and tomorrow, I’m not sure whether one will come or not. Probably finding a construction job is better."
COVID-19 and Trinidad and Tobago education's digital divide
"What we do not want is a situation where the exclusion of students is a threat greater than COVID-19 to our education."
COVID-19, locusts and floods: East Africa's triple dilemma
East Africa's "triple threat" — the coronavirus, locusts, and floods — are not mutually exclusive. In fact, each is inextricably linked.
COVID-19 in Palestine: Living between hope and fear
A deterioration of the political situation in Palestine could adversely impact the COVID-19 crisis and directly impact local civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
In Mexico, relief program ‘insufficient’ to keep 30 million informal workers at home
"If I don't sell, I don't eat. It's that simple."
‘Clean city-state’ image of Singapore shows double-standards in its treatment of migrants in times of COVID-19
"....even if you do most things right, if you're not considering or proactively looking out for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, you're not going to effectively fight #COVID19."
COVID-19 creates more uncertainty for migrant workers in India
The spread of COVID-19 in India leads to economic and geographical displacement of migrant workers.
For Nepal's migrant and daily wage workers, lockdown is more dangerous than the coronavirus
Domestic daily wage labourers and migrant workers are among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Nepal.
Cameroon battles COVID-19 alongside separatist war and strained health care system
Cameroon has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the region. As the virus becomes a reality, citizens must adjust to this new threat amid the ongoing separtist conflict.
India's COVID-19 lockdown leaves vulnerable populations to fend for themselves
While the government has guaranteed essential services to be exempt from the lockdown, poorer sections of the population have been left in the lurch even in the capital.
Nigeria’s elite ‘above the law’ as the poor struggle with COVID-19 measures
The majority of Nigeria's poor live by the day in overcrowded and squalid shanties, without running water and modern toilet facilities. They cannot and will not survive a lockdown.
Cambodian garment workers strike over unpaid wages amid COVID-19 outbreak
"We cannot let the employers give excuses to delay paying workers’ wages, because workers are in debt and they cannot make an excuse to delay their expenses."
Market mayhem in Uganda as COVID-19 measures upend women’s lives
In Uganda, sudden COVID-19 restrictions have led to increased violence against women in the informal sector, who continue to work as vendors to feed their families.
Papua New Guinea nurses strike over lack of protection against COVID-19
"Staff safety is paramount and those in authority must put themselves into our shoes and understand exactly why we are doing this."
Can Zimbabwe handle the coronavirus amid a collapsing health care system?
Zimbabweans brace for the coronavirus amid chronic health system struggles and expensive internet data. "Sadly, in the remote parts of our country, some are clueless of this pandemic."
