Workers in Ukraine’s iron ore industry are refusing to come up from their mines, risking their wellbeing for better wages, working conditions and social benefits.
Over the past month, migrant workers in Russia have faced retaliatory round-ups, harassment and brutal treatment at the hands of police. This campaign follows official comments on "rising migrant crime" due to the COVID-inspired economic downturn.
Growing labour unrest and strikes at key state-owned businesses have become a major challenge to embattled president Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The authorities have struck back with a pressure campaign against workers involved.
For several months, Russian medics have been living with the constant stress of coronavirus. The Ministry of Health is talking about providing psychological help, but most doctors aren’t ready to talk to specialists.
Western fashion brands are happy to outsource their production to Ukrainian textile shops, but labour conditions here aren’t so different from sweatshops in Asia.
Ukrainian labour keeps several European economies afloat. But after migrants returned home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyiv is now reluctant to let them depart again.
