How to Hire Remote Workers from Economically Distressed Countries

The Sewing Labs provides apprenticeships that teach sewing skills as a route to jobs, financial independence and dignity. The Sewing Labs was recently chosen as one of 207 businesses to participate in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Ambassadors Initiative to present an “earn and learn” model to create equitable and debt-free pathways to good-paying jobs.

A social enterprise in Armenia employs single mothers of children with disabilities so they can work from home and receive a sustainable income. The company, Ardook Household Assistant, offers washing, drying, and ironing services for clothes and linens.

To quickly build a skilled workforce, two Kansas community colleges and Panasonic created an accelerated 8-week apprenticeship, funded by the company and featuring tailored classroom and practical training. The program aims to fast-track workers into Panasonic's new EV battery factory while providing clear career pathways through stackable credentials.

“Grow your own” programs, like Reach University’s, are working to address teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas, by recruiting school employees who don’t have college or education degrees and giving them a chance to earn an undergraduate degree in education at just $75 a month. Participants take courses online and take 15 hours out of their work week to spend time observing and training in classrooms. So far 84% of all parishes across the state have signed up to take Reach trainees, which could put a significant dent in the statewide teacher vacancy issue.

Deliveristas Unidos started as a WhatsApp group for local delivery workers to connect, but over time it turned into a mobilized organization of thousands of delivery workers ready to take to the streets to protect their rights as workers. Through their organizing, the group managed to get a legislative package passed that enacted several laws that guaranteed their rights and protections, including access to bathrooms in restaurants across the city, transparent communication with delivery apps about tips, as well as hourly pay.

Women-only taxi companies like An Nisa in Nairobi empower women to become rideshare drivers. These opportunities combat gender bias and create a safer space for women.

Generating Income For Tomorrow, or GIFT, works to foster economic prosperity and wealth in Kansas City’s Black community by providing grants to Black-owned businesses. Since its launch, GIFT has distributed $687,000 to 42 Black businesses and GIFT recipients have so far created more than 60 new jobs.

In a complex effort to increase morale among bus drivers and address worker shortages, the Kansas City Area Transit Authority has negotiated a new union contract with drivers and maintenance crews to increase their hourly wage. Through the new contract and intensified recruitment efforts, the KCATA has hired an additional 55 drivers, exceeding its goal of 45 more drivers by the end of this year.

In an effort to address issues of waste disposal, the Women Recyclers Empowerment Initiative empowers women in local communities by paying them to recycle plastics. Not only does the initiative address waste issues, but it also allows women to become financially independent. So far, 40 women have participated in the initiative.

Several companies are beginning to lean into the four-day workweek. It is also being seen as a new recruiting tool that resonates with a younger generation that prioritizes work-life balance. There are even nonprofits like 4 Day Week Global, that are coordinating pilot programs across the globe to encourage more companies to adopt a 32-hour workweek with no cut in pay.