Maia Usui is a student at Harvard Law School.
Sunday is World Day Against Child Labor, and a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. Despite recent successes, the International Labor Organization estimates that there are still 168 million child laborers worldwide. Nonprofit leaders are calling upon corporations to scrutinize their supply chains, noting the continued importance of partnering with unions on this front.
More American workers are being replaced with foreigners on temporary visas, and some of them are starting to speak up. According to the New York Times, some of the workers who have lost their jobs to global outsourcing are now sharing their experiences with the public — but not without running afoul of severance agreements prohibiting them from criticizing their former employers. To combat the chilling effect of these “nondisparagement” agreements, some have suggested revising the visa laws to allow former employees to formally contest their layoffs.
Are manufacturing workers paid enough? NPR reports on a recent study from UC Berkeley’s Labor Center, suggesting that over a third of American manufacturing workers and their families depend on public assistance.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
August 12
Third Circuit affirms dismissal of driver’s bias and retaliation claims against CBS and Teamsters; employment litigation surges in Washington state; MIT Sloan professor argues the rise of “disposable workers” is transforming American employment.
August 11
Rideshare drivers nearing union certification in California; UFCW campaigns against electronic shelf labels; Teamsters support NYC delivery driver bill.
August 10
Employee sues for a fossil-fuel-free 401(k) plan as a religious accommodation; DHS submits a proposed rule eliminating 60-day grace period for H-1B workers; Eighth Circuit dismisses constitutional challenge to the FMSHRC.
August 7
Starbucks beats claims it denied shifts to union workers; Center for State Labor Innovation aims to address labor law shortcomings.
August 6
Taylor Farms faces scrutiny over labor practices; Bipartisan labor bill gains momentum.
August 5
Clash over potential change to Canada’s labor code; Harvard’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy releases model sectoral bargaining laws; NJ sues Amazon for antitrust violations.