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Why Japan's Jobless Rate Is Just 2.6% While the U.S.'s Has Soared

Ben Dooley Hisako Ueno

June 20, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

Japan's unemployment has barely grown during the COVID-19 crisis, thanks in large part to a business culture that prizes employees' interests over short-term profits. Much of the country's economy remained open in the pandemic's early months. But the jobless picture was aided even more by policies based on a tradeoff between ordinarily high demands on workers in return for job security. The same policies have produced a tight job market that can make companies risk averse in their hiring. But the net effect during the crisis has been much less economic pain inflicted on workers.

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Coronavirus concerns revive labor organizing

Carl Segerstrom

June 18, 2020 |

High Country News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

Employees at 7 Yakima Valley fruit packing plants, who are predominately Latinx, went on strike to protest inadequate protection and pay during the Covid-19 pandemic. Agricultural workers accounted for nearly one-fifth of the county’s positive cases. The worker initiated strikes and picket lines were supported by community members, union representatives, and non-profit legal centers. Workers returned to work after gaining concessions on better pay, safety protections, and the formation of worker advocacy committees. The state also issued new workplace safety standards for agricultural workers after protests.

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Organizing for Help in a Pandemic

Madeline St. Amour

June 16, 2020 |

Inside Higher Ed |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Graduate students at several major universities organized to secure benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, the University of Illinois Graduate Employees Organization fought for and won the expansion of mental health services and summer health care coverage, as well as free summer housing for international graduate students who cannot return home due to travel restrictions. After graduate students at the University of Texas Austin demonstrated and 1,400 signed a petition, the dean granted expanded funding opportunities and a commitment to finding a healthcare plan that ensures no coverage gap.

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Out Of The Ruins

Patrick Chalmers

June 07, 2020 |

All Hands On |

Documentary |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Greece

Protests against severe “austerity measures” that were passed after the 2011 economic recession resulted in worker and housing cooperatives to address labor and housing inequities. Citizens protested by gathering in public squares and holding rallies where speakers were randomly selected from the crowd. This is based on an ancient democratic process where citizens are selected at random to speak their mind in regards to politics and public affairs. The organizations that emerged practiced participatory democracy through horizontal leadership, though many were eventually shut down by the government.

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Overworked, underpaid and lonely: Conservationists find a new community online

Jeremy Hance

March 23, 2020 |

Mongabay |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Australia

Lonely Conservationists, an online forum that unites conservationists from around the world, has more than 2,500 members and 55 posts by conservationists who share their experiences of being exhausted, undervalued, underpaid, and isolated. Many members struggle with their mental health and the online community has provided a venue where they can get support from other people who understand their experiences. The group cannot solve all of the problems faced by conservationists, but members report building trust and increasing confidence by speaking their truths, with many going on to find jobs.

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Less is more: Lithuanian company's experiment with shorter working hours

Domantė Platūkytė

March 12, 2020 |

Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Lithuania, Vilnius

A company in Lithuania cut back the work day from eight to six hours and noted an increase in morale without any negative impact on productivity. Employees reported a better work-life balance, reducing their stress and exhaustion and allowing them more time for activities that boost personal wellbeing.

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After #MeToo, This Group Has Nearly Erased Sexual Harassment in Farm Fields

Vera Liang Chang

March 09, 2020 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

The Fair Food Program, which educates and empowers farmworkers to report on-the-job sexual harassment, has all but eliminated sexual assaults at participating farms in an industry that otherwise is known for vast power imbalances between migrant labor and labor contractors. By giving employers key business incentives to participate and by cracking the code of silence among workers, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers-run FFP has protected employees by educating tens of thousands of them while enforcing standards through a rigorous investigation and hearings process.

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The Bitter Side of Cocoa Production

Teresa Carr

February 13, 2020 |

Sapiens |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Dominican Republic

Carla Martin is an anthropologist at Harvard University, who also founded the Nine Cacao and Chocolate Institute — a nonprofit that brings together industry professionals, academics, and producers to share insights and discuss the challenges of producing chocolate. Cocoa production historically has participated in questionable labor practices, unfair wages, and tropical deforestation, so through her workshops, Martin aims to empower the workers along the supply chain to ensure their voices are heard through the process.

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No Sex For Fish: How Women In A Fishing Village Are Fighting For Power

Rebecca Davis

December 26, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Kenya, Nduru Beach

Along Kenya's Lake Victoria, the practice of jaboya - where fishermen guarantee that day's catch to a woman fish trader in exchange for sexual favors - is all too common, in part due to a lack of economic opportunity in small villages. Kenya's fishing communities also have rates of HIV prevalence between 30% and 40%. To combat these issues, local women and non-profits teamed up to start No Sex for Fish, an organization committed to providing women fish traders their own boats so they could catch the fish themselves. While initial results were promising, the initiative ultimately has not yet succeeded.

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Arts Group Evaluates Five Years of Fair-Pay Certification

Zoe Sullivan

December 18, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Bringing labor organizing practices to the art world strengthens the fight for equitable pay. Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) provides certification to arts organizations that agree to minimum pay standards. Artists and organizations can use payment calculators on the W.A.G.E website and track fee requests. W.A.G.E also acts as a negotiator for artist services, sending fee requests to other institutions.

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