The COVID-19 pandemic is creating change all around the world. Over the past several months, there has been a surge of workers worldwide demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
In India, riots broke out at an iPhone factory on Saturday. The rioters accused the management of the factory of withholding wages from the workers. For several hours, rioters threw rocks through building windows and set fire to several cars. After the destruction died down, the workers met with human resource officials to receive the withheld wages and demand increased wages.
These riots were met with disdain from government officials in India. C T Ravie, the BJP National General Secretary, took to Twitter to voice his frustration with the rioters. “It is unfortunate that Wistron manufacturing plant was violently attacked by agitating workers near Kolara. At a time when many companies are shifting base from China to India, such attacks give a bad name for the State.”
COVID-19 is causing a massive delay for many products, including phones, TVs, game consoles, and other electronic goods. To reduce losses, these technology companies are pushing their factories to produce more products despite the threat of COVID-19. One of the most significant sources of COVID-19 infections and deaths come from factory workers. In response, factory workers are beginning to demand higher wages and better working conditions as they continue to get sick and die.
These riots ended a long week for India, where protests have been continually growing. Over the last several weeks, farmers have gathered all over the country to protest a new set of laws. India’s new laws remove the minimum and maximum price for crops allowing farmers to sell their produce for whatever price they choose. The new regulations also allow farmers to directly sell their crops to individuals and businesses instead of going through the state’s Agriculture Produce Market Committee. While farmers could make more money on their crops, many believe these laws were designed to benefit large corporations who will swoop in at auctions and undercut local farmers.
The protesters are being met with force from local police departments. Police blocked entry into major city centers by implementing tear gas and water canons.
Farmers, especially those in low-income countries, have taken a massive financial hit due to COVID-19. As restaurants and other food industries worldwide continue to close, the demand for agricultural products is decreasing. Due to this decrease in demand, farmers are banding together to demand fair prices for their products and protection from larger corporations.
India is not the only country to experience growing tension over workers’ rights. Protests erupted in Taipei this weekend, demanding more robust workers’ rights laws. Taipei has had a troubled past when it comes to workers’ rights for low-income and migrant workers. Many of these workers have little to no legal rights, and the protesters compared their work-life to slavery.
America is experiencing its own workers’ rights revolution. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to the gig economy. However, in most states, gig workers are given little to no legal rights or benefits. After California passed Proposition 22, which sided with Uber allowing drivers to be classified as independent contractors, tensions among gig workers and companies have continued to grow. Megan Dickey, a contributor to Tech Crunch and advocate for gig worker rights, believes that Prop 22 is just the beginning. Over the next several years, as America continues to struggle to get back on its feet, you can expect to see more lawsuits and court decisions regarding gig worker rights.
With so much government push back around the world, it may seem like a lost cause for workers’ rights. However, COVID-19 acted as a steroid shot in moving workers’ rights forward. Over the next several years, we can expect protests to grow in frequency leading to more favorable decisions for workers’ well-being.
Bibliography
Dickey, Megan Rose. “An Even Bigger Battle for Gig Worker Rights Is on the Horizon.” TechCrunch, TechCrunch, 13 Dec. 2020, techcrunch.com/2020/12/13/an-even-bigger-battle-for-gig-worker-rights-is-on-the-horizon/.
Ebrahimji, Alisha. “Thousands of People Are Protesting with Farmers in India. This Is Why You Should Care.” CNN, Cable News Network, 12 Dec. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/12/11/world/farmer-protests-india-protests-hnk-trnd/index.html.
Hsiao, Sherry. “Migrant Workers, Rights Groups Protest in Taipei.” Taipei Times, Taipei Times, 14 Dec. 2020, www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2020/12/14/2003748684.
Ravi, C T. “It Is Unfortunate That Wistron Manufacturing Plant Was Violently Attacked by Agitating Workers near Kolara.At a Time When Many Companies Are Shifting Base from China to India, Such Attacks Give a Bad Name for the State.I Request CM @BSYBJP to Order a Probe into This Incident.” Twitter, Twitter, 13 Dec. 2020, twitter.com/CTRavi_BJP/status/1337983164514402304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1337983164514402304%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_.
Shalvey, Kevin. “An IPhone Factory in India Has Erupted in Violence over a Dispute about Workers' Pay.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 13 Dec. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/workers-riot-over-pay-factory-making-apple-iphones-in-india-2020-12.
