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International Labour Organization

International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only ‘tripartite’ United Nations agency bringing together representatives of governments, employers and workers to shape policies and programmes.
Commuters walk at a railway station in Mumbai. Workers in India are among the most overworked globally, according to data from the International Labour Organization. Photo: AFP
India

In India, tycoon’s call to adopt ‘996’ work culture in China spurs debate

India’s parliament is debating a new law to allow staff the ‘right to disconnect’ from workplace communications after their official hours.

Malaysia

Malaysia promises millions of gig workers a safety net, but critics see holes

South Korea

‘Workplaces of death’: South Korean president’s childhood fuels crackdown

Pakistan

‘Modern slavery’: child labour still common in Pakistan

One in four households in the country employs a child as a domestic worker, mostly girls aged 10 to 14.

Amina (left), a household helper, sits beside her mother during an interview in Karachi. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee Seafoods in landmark forced labour case

The human-trafficking case highlights the exploitation within the seafood industry, emphasising the need for corporate accountability and systemic reform.

Indonesia

Over 1 in 5 young Indonesians are out of work. Fixing that won’t be easy

Southeast Asia’s largest economy has the world’s fourth-largest workforce, but it’s outshone by its neighbours like Malaysia and Thailand.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the Trump pick Democrats, surprisingly, like

The mother of 2 advanced her political career with a little help from her Teamster father; she was also a partner in her doctor husband’s anaesthesiology business.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer was a surprising pick by US President Donald Trump for labour secretary. Photos: TNS; @lchavezderemer/Instagram
India

‘More dangerous than Covid’: outrage over call for 7-day work week in India

The comments betray a traditional mindset that equates productivity with long hours of work and are ‘removed from reality’, experts say.

China jobs

China’s controversial jobless rate needs to be reformed, scholar urges

After a revamp of the youth-unemployment rate sparked concerns over data transparency, calls have come for comprehensive metrics to convey economic reality.

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Australia

Inside the hidden world of modern slavery in Australia’s diplomatic heart

Recent court rulings reveal harrowing stories of abuse and neglect at the hands of envoys operating under diplomatic immunity in Canberra.

Canberra. Shocking cases of modern slavery have emerged within Australia’s capital. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

Why will Filipino helpers earn more in South Korea than Hong Kong, Singapore?

Foreign domestic workers will enjoy high wages under a government pilot project – raising affordability concerns among Korean families seeking care.

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A group of 100 Filipino women arrive in Seoul on August 6 to take part in South Korea’s first-ever pilot project for domestic workers from the country. Photo: Yonhap/EPA-EFE
Australia

Sri Lanka defends envoy in Australia fined for ‘modern slavery’ of maid

The Federal Court of Australia found that Himalee Arunatilaka had breached the Fair Work Act, and was ordered to pay more than US$360,000 in back wages to her former housekeeper.

United Nations

Education, social welfare essential for Asia to grow rich, cope with ageing: UN

The UN report said that growth in productivity has slowed, hurting incomes and undermining the purchasing power of the region’s 2 billion workers.

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Crime

Criminals reap US$236 billion in yearly profits from forced labour: UN agency

This is up by 37 per cent, or US$64 billion, compared with its last estimate published a decade ago in 2011, the International Labour Organization says.

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Workers and supporters attend a demonstration to mark International Women’s Day in Bangkok, calling for better employment conditions and a good quality of life, equal rights for female labour. Photo: EPA-EFE
South Korea

South Korea doctors ask ILO to intervene as strike shows no signs of ending

The issue isn’t likely to be settled soon as President Yoon’s party has large public backing for the plan to increase medical school places, senior doctors say.

Doctors in Seoul chant slogans during a rally on March 3 to protest against government plans to increase medical school admissions. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

EU reaches deal on forced labour ban, with China’s Xinjiang in its sights

Provisional agreement would target sectors and regions profiting from state-imposed forced labour based on database drawn up by European Commission.

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Artificial intelligence

How AI development has fostered a digital ‘sweatshop’ in poor countries

The development of artificial intelligence has created opportunities for educated workers in the Philippines and other developing countries. But they are poorly paid and lack training.

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Hong Kong workers/labour rights

How overworked are Hongkongers? More than half log 45-hour weeks: survey

Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions says 7.3 per cent of respondents work more than 70 hours a week, well above International Labour Organization recommendation.

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The International Labour Organization recommends a 40-hour work week and considers more than 48 hours excessive. Photo: Elson Li
Poverty

Video | Child labour is on the rise again, ILO warns

Taiwan economy

Taiwan’s migrant-worker reputation hit as Greenpeace flags labour violations

With the world’s second-largest fishing fleet, Taiwan is at risk of being shunned by foreign workers from Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, at a time when it is desperate to shore up its workforce.

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Malaysia

US lifts import ban on Malaysia’s Smart Glove

In November 2021, US Customs and Border Protection sanctioned imports from the company over the alleged use of forced labour at its production facilities

Smart Glove and its group of companies allegedly used forced labour at production facilities. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia probes cases of migrant workers left jobless, no passports

They risk forced labour as their plight is worsened by debt bondage, poor living conditions, isolation and limited freedom of movement.

Migrant workers queuing to use one of four toilets shared among 104 construction workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year. Photo: Reuters
Business of climate change

‘There is no escape’ from EU ESG disclosures, says global trade body head

‘If you don’t start preparing now, you will be late if and when the legislation kicks in,’ trade body head warns Asian suppliers to global brands

China's economic recovery

‘China’s doors will be opened wider’: Premier Li tells trade, finance heads

Li Keqiang vows to ‘facilitate international exchanges and people mobility’, at annual round-table gathering featuring face-to-face exchanges with heads of IMF, World Bank, WTO and others.

China's economic recovery

‘Not an easy job’: China premier promises steady economic growth despite Covid

China’s Premier Li Keqiang met with the heads of the World Bank, World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund on Thursday in Huangshan, Anhui province.

China Premier Li Keqiang met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva in Huangshan, Anhui province, on Thursday. Photo: CCTV
Middle East

Qatar says worker deaths for World Cup ‘between 400 and 500’

Since Fifa awarded the tournament to Qatar in 2010, the country has taken some steps to overhaul its employment practices such as setting a minimum wage and enhancing worker safety laws.

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Labourers remove scaffolding at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Migrant labourers who built Qatar’s World Cup stadiums often worked long hours under harsh conditions and were subjected to discrimination, wage theft and other abuses as their employers evaded accountability. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2022

Fifa World Cup 2022: South Asian workers watch match from outskirts

A cricket ground in Asian Town outside the city is where migrant workers from some of the world’s poorest countries enjoy the tournament they helped create. The World Cup spotlight has compelled Qatar to overhaul its labour system.

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Middle East

Qatar rejects compensation fund for World Cup migrant workers

Labour Minister says Qatar is already handing out hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid wages – and accused the Gulf state’s critics of ‘racism’.

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