Edward Nasser is a student at Harvard Law School.
Motherhood largely drives the gender pay gap, reports the New York Times. The gap widens most during a woman’s late 20s to mid-30s, when many women have children. Mothers carry a disproportionate share of a family’s labor at home and more likely to give up job opportunities for their husband’s job. Sari Kerr, an economist at Wellesley College, notes that couples often decide that the person who earns less, usually a women, should take on more of the household and childcare burden. But because employers often assume that this will be the case, it is a reason women earn less in the first place.
The state pension system of Puerto Rico, which owes workers $49 billion in benefits, is scheduled to run out of money as soon as July, according to Bloomberg. The impending shortfall pits workers against the Commonwealth’s creditors, primarily hedge funds who own one third of its bonds. Puerto Rico’s federal oversight board anticipates a 10 percent cut in pension benefits, but some workers expect an even larger reduction.
The New York Times offers an in depth look at China’s plan to remake the global economy. Through the initiate, called “One Belt, One Road,” China plans to invest $1 trillion in massive infrastructure projects around the world. China will be exporting not just its goods but also its labor, staffing foreign projects with domestic workers. The country hopes to expand its diplomatic influence at a time when the United States is expected to turn inward and focus on “America first.”
Though President Trump scrapped the Trans-Pacific Partnership on his first day in office, may spend the rest of his term trying to pursue similar deals, reports the Wall Street Journal. The TPP included labor and environmental provisions that the Obama administration hoped would raise standards for workers around the globe.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
June 21
The Bolivian government declares a state of emergency in response to union-led protests, and hotel workers in Philadelphia strike amidst World Cup celebrations.
June 19
The Supreme Court declines to hear a challenge to a Ninth Circuit decision upholding Thryv remedies, and tech workers receive mixed messaging about AI use.
June 18
Teamsters re-elect Sean O'Brien; Teamsters and DOJ move to end federal monitorship.
June 17
Bezos predicts AI will create labor shortage; Canada introduces legislation to strengthen forced labor import ban.
June 16
Hyundai workers approach strike; NTEU sues the IRS for First Amendment violation; former federal employees run for Congress in Trump pushback
June 15
Apple wins summary judgment on FLSA and state law worker claims; Werner truckers reach $18 million settlement; California court uphold finding that Tesla yard hostlers are exempt from the FAA.