Palm oil has long been the subject of criticism from various quarters. Amidst of criticism, the global demand for palm oil is increasing, and palm oil plantations are also increasing in many places, in particular in Indonesia, the largest palm oil producer in the world.
This research highlights the challenging conditions of maternity protection in the South Asian agrifood sector. Despite existing laws, both formal and informal sector workers face widespread denial of standard maternity benefits such as paid leave and health protections. Informality is rampant even in ostensibly formal sectors, leading to violations of labor laws and further exacerbating the problem.
This research investigates the status of social protection, particularly maternity protection, among agrifood sector workers in Southeast Asia. The agrifood sector encompasses the entire value chain from farm to table, playing a vital role in the region's economies, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Despite its importance, women in the agrifood sector face various challenges, including lower wages, limited access to resources, and a higher likelihood of informal and precarious employment.
Asia Monitor Resource Centre (AMRC) is requesting for proposals to develop a research paper: 1) exploring how global brands, through the mechanism of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), have been responding to the plight that the working class experienced during the Covid-19 crisis, and 2) probing into what the working-class alliance (e.g., civil society organizations) has been doing to hold these brands accountable. For application details please refer to the attached request for proposal document.
One Year Later: Lao Informal Workers and the Covid-19 Pandemic
Bing Phonkao, 39, informal worker and mother of four, lives in Vientiane Capital, Laos, with her husband and two youngest children. She moved to the capital five years ago in search of work, and after getting married she decided to relocate.
The Grassroots Mutual Aid Practice During Pandemic in Indonesia: A Community of Practice (CoP) Study Case
Prepared by Rizki Estrada and Rozi Hariansyah
Departing from the above problems, the purpose of this study is to address the following key questions: 1) How do the grassroot organizations build social resilience in the period of Large-Scale Social restriction policy amidst a pandemic? 2) What are the actions of grassroots communities when facing a pandemic, and amid the uncertainty of social protection provided by the Indonesian government?
A Participatory Research on impact of COVID 19 of workers in informal economy: Documenting Solidarity-Based Actions as Social Protection Response
By The Homenet Philippines and PATAMABA
1. To describe the impact of COVID-19 in the informal worker
communities identified for the research, with primary focus on Rizal
province (municipalities of Angono and Taytay).
2. To document and assess the solidarity-based actions already
conducted in the sites.
3. To share and derive lessons from the research results not only to the
LOCKDOWN STORIES Workers’ Struggles Amid the Pandemic
By Center for Trade Union and Human Rights & Women Workers in Struggle for Employment, Empowerment and Emancipation
RISKING LIFE AND LIMB IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON ECONOMIC SITUATION OF BPO WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THE NEED FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION
by BPO Industry Employees Network
The Impact of COVID-19 on Workers’ Livelihoods, Government and Grassroots Initiatives in Response to COVID-19 and Financing for Social Protection Floor in Bangladesh
By Asad Uddin Program Coordinator Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE)