Lena Simet
@lenasimet.bsky.social
Senior Economic Justice Researcher @Human Rights Watch | Author of Cities and Economic Inequality in Latin America @Routledge
🚨The @ilo.org is writing the first global rules for work on platforms like #Uber & #DoorDash.
@hrw.org has submitted detailed input and a joint civil society statement, calling for fair pay, safety, social security, & safeguards against harmful algorithms.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
@hrw.org has submitted detailed input and a joint civil society statement, calling for fair pay, safety, social security, & safeguards against harmful algorithms.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
November 14, 2025 at 10:19 PM
🚨The @ilo.org is writing the first global rules for work on platforms like #Uber & #DoorDash.
@hrw.org has submitted detailed input and a joint civil society statement, calling for fair pay, safety, social security, & safeguards against harmful algorithms.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
@hrw.org has submitted detailed input and a joint civil society statement, calling for fair pay, safety, social security, & safeguards against harmful algorithms.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Today @hrw.org published input on the draft @ilo.org treaty on decent work in the platform economy - the 1st global effort to set rules for work organized through businesses like Uber & DoorDash. A historic chance to ensure tech works for workers not against them: www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
November 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Today @hrw.org published input on the draft @ilo.org treaty on decent work in the platform economy - the 1st global effort to set rules for work organized through businesses like Uber & DoorDash. A historic chance to ensure tech works for workers not against them: www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Happening today!
Join us in person at @hrw.org's DC office — or online — for a discussion on Alternatives to Austerity, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.
🕔 5pm ET
📍 RSVP to join in person: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
💻 Join online: bit.ly/494BZ51
Join us in person at @hrw.org's DC office — or online — for a discussion on Alternatives to Austerity, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.
🕔 5pm ET
📍 RSVP to join in person: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
💻 Join online: bit.ly/494BZ51
October 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Happening today!
Join us in person at @hrw.org's DC office — or online — for a discussion on Alternatives to Austerity, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.
🕔 5pm ET
📍 RSVP to join in person: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
💻 Join online: bit.ly/494BZ51
Join us in person at @hrw.org's DC office — or online — for a discussion on Alternatives to Austerity, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.
🕔 5pm ET
📍 RSVP to join in person: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
💻 Join online: bit.ly/494BZ51
Low tax revenues helped drive Sri Lanka to economic crisis. New report by @hrw.org’s @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social on how tax policies favoring companies & the wealthy have for decades been undermining human rights, including to education www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
October 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Low tax revenues helped drive Sri Lanka to economic crisis. New report by @hrw.org’s @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social on how tax policies favoring companies & the wealthy have for decades been undermining human rights, including to education www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
As the 2025 World Bank #AnnualMeetings open today, a new @hrw.org report finds IFC-backed microfinance in #Cambodia has driven millions—mostly people living in poverty—into debt through predatory lending, leading to land loss, child labor, and debt-driven suicides.
www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
October 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
As the 2025 World Bank #AnnualMeetings open today, a new @hrw.org report finds IFC-backed microfinance in #Cambodia has driven millions—mostly people living in poverty—into debt through predatory lending, leading to land loss, child labor, and debt-driven suicides.
www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
New Jersey's proposed rule codifying the ABC test is a critical step toward addressing worker misclassification - including in the platform economy, where millions are denied their rights.
@hrw.org strongly supports the rule by @njlabordept.bsky.social. Read our letter: www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
@hrw.org strongly supports the rule by @njlabordept.bsky.social. Read our letter: www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
August 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
New Jersey's proposed rule codifying the ABC test is a critical step toward addressing worker misclassification - including in the platform economy, where millions are denied their rights.
@hrw.org strongly supports the rule by @njlabordept.bsky.social. Read our letter: www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
@hrw.org strongly supports the rule by @njlabordept.bsky.social. Read our letter: www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
The gig economy runs on hidden rules. A new bill in the US Congress could help change that and start protecting the workers powering platforms like #Uber, #DoorDash & #AmazonFlex.
Read more @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/07....
A 🧵
Read more @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/07....
A 🧵
July 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The gig economy runs on hidden rules. A new bill in the US Congress could help change that and start protecting the workers powering platforms like #Uber, #DoorDash & #AmazonFlex.
Read more @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/07....
A 🧵
Read more @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/07....
A 🧵
Check out @nelp.org's new piece on #AmazonFlex's labor model - yet another reminder of what happens when platform workers are misclassified and subject to algorithmic management: sub-minimum wages, inadequate benefits, and virtually no job protections.
www.nelp.org/insights-res...
www.nelp.org/insights-res...
July 22, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Check out @nelp.org's new piece on #AmazonFlex's labor model - yet another reminder of what happens when platform workers are misclassified and subject to algorithmic management: sub-minimum wages, inadequate benefits, and virtually no job protections.
www.nelp.org/insights-res...
www.nelp.org/insights-res...
40% of Guatemalans don’t have running water in their homes. Our new @hrw.org report shows deep inequalities in access, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities. A water law is a first step toward tackling the crisis—& advancing justice 👉 www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
July 3, 2025 at 1:23 PM
40% of Guatemalans don’t have running water in their homes. Our new @hrw.org report shows deep inequalities in access, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities. A water law is a first step toward tackling the crisis—& advancing justice 👉 www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
We can’t ignore the human rights impacts of budget cuts & austerity.
As Attiya Waris put it: “There’s blood on the budget lines.”
Check out her new think tank working to reimagine global financial governance: house-of-fiscal-wisdom.com
As Attiya Waris put it: “There’s blood on the budget lines.”
Check out her new think tank working to reimagine global financial governance: house-of-fiscal-wisdom.com
July 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
We can’t ignore the human rights impacts of budget cuts & austerity.
As Attiya Waris put it: “There’s blood on the budget lines.”
Check out her new think tank working to reimagine global financial governance: house-of-fiscal-wisdom.com
As Attiya Waris put it: “There’s blood on the budget lines.”
Check out her new think tank working to reimagine global financial governance: house-of-fiscal-wisdom.com
Powerful @endausterity.bsky.social panel at #FFD4 on alternatives to budget cuts for investing in universal social protection & public services.
The most common austerity measure? Slashing social protection—replacing universal programs w narrow, means-tested safety nets. @isabelortiz.bsky.social
The most common austerity measure? Slashing social protection—replacing universal programs w narrow, means-tested safety nets. @isabelortiz.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Powerful @endausterity.bsky.social panel at #FFD4 on alternatives to budget cuts for investing in universal social protection & public services.
The most common austerity measure? Slashing social protection—replacing universal programs w narrow, means-tested safety nets. @isabelortiz.bsky.social
The most common austerity measure? Slashing social protection—replacing universal programs w narrow, means-tested safety nets. @isabelortiz.bsky.social
From #FFD4 in Sevilla: One of the most urgent conversations here is how to design economies to uphold human rights & repair the harm caused by systemic failures & inequality. @giescr.bsky.social @cesr.bsky.social
Learn more about what we mean by a human rights economy: www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
Learn more about what we mean by a human rights economy: www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
June 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
From #FFD4 in Sevilla: One of the most urgent conversations here is how to design economies to uphold human rights & repair the harm caused by systemic failures & inequality. @giescr.bsky.social @cesr.bsky.social
Learn more about what we mean by a human rights economy: www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
Learn more about what we mean by a human rights economy: www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
How can we finance universal #SocialProtection in a world shaped by inequality & debt crises?
I joined @socialprotection.org , @afdbgroup.bsky.social, @unicef.org for a timely conversation about the need for political will ahead of #FfD4. socialprotection.org/learn/podcas...
I joined @socialprotection.org , @afdbgroup.bsky.social, @unicef.org for a timely conversation about the need for political will ahead of #FfD4. socialprotection.org/learn/podcas...
June 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
How can we finance universal #SocialProtection in a world shaped by inequality & debt crises?
I joined @socialprotection.org , @afdbgroup.bsky.social, @unicef.org for a timely conversation about the need for political will ahead of #FfD4. socialprotection.org/learn/podcas...
I joined @socialprotection.org , @afdbgroup.bsky.social, @unicef.org for a timely conversation about the need for political will ahead of #FfD4. socialprotection.org/learn/podcas...
Tax justice is a human rights issue. Ahead of #FfD4, @hrw.org launched a new database tracking tax references by UN treaty bodies since 2007.
👇👇
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
👇👇
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
June 27, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Tax justice is a human rights issue. Ahead of #FfD4, @hrw.org launched a new database tracking tax references by UN treaty bodies since 2007.
👇👇
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
👇👇
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
4/ Negotiations will resume in 2026. What’s on the table?
🔹 Social security
🔹 Health & safety
🔹 Remuneration
🔹 Algorithmic accountability
🔹 Worker misclassification
Together w @ituc.bsky.social @privacyinternational.org & others we @hrw.org developed proposals👇 www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
🔹 Social security
🔹 Health & safety
🔹 Remuneration
🔹 Algorithmic accountability
🔹 Worker misclassification
Together w @ituc.bsky.social @privacyinternational.org & others we @hrw.org developed proposals👇 www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
June 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
4/ Negotiations will resume in 2026. What’s on the table?
🔹 Social security
🔹 Health & safety
🔹 Remuneration
🔹 Algorithmic accountability
🔹 Worker misclassification
Together w @ituc.bsky.social @privacyinternational.org & others we @hrw.org developed proposals👇 www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
🔹 Social security
🔹 Health & safety
🔹 Remuneration
🔹 Algorithmic accountability
🔹 Worker misclassification
Together w @ituc.bsky.social @privacyinternational.org & others we @hrw.org developed proposals👇 www.hrw.org/sites/defaul...
🚨 Big news from Geneva: the @ilo.org has agreed to develop binding global standards on decent work in the platform economy. This is a major breakthrough—but the real fight is just beginning.🧵
#ILC2025 #GigWorkersRights www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
#ILC2025 #GigWorkersRights www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
June 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
🚨 Big news from Geneva: the @ilo.org has agreed to develop binding global standards on decent work in the platform economy. This is a major breakthrough—but the real fight is just beginning.🧵
#ILC2025 #GigWorkersRights www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
#ILC2025 #GigWorkersRights www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
📢 Today at #ILC2025, 33 organizations—including @hrw.org @ituc.bsky.social @privacyinternational.org—launched a joint declaration urging @ilo.org member states and employers to support binding standards on decent work in the platform economy.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
June 3, 2025 at 8:09 AM
📢 Today at #ILC2025, 33 organizations—including @hrw.org @ituc.bsky.social @privacyinternational.org—launched a joint declaration urging @ilo.org member states and employers to support binding standards on decent work in the platform economy.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
If you’re wondering why your #Uber ride costs more—it’s not because drivers are earning more.
A new @hrw.org report finds platform workers in Texas make just $5.12/hour after expenses—below the minimum wage. Some make nothing at all. www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
A new @hrw.org report finds platform workers in Texas make just $5.12/hour after expenses—below the minimum wage. Some make nothing at all. www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
May 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
If you’re wondering why your #Uber ride costs more—it’s not because drivers are earning more.
A new @hrw.org report finds platform workers in Texas make just $5.12/hour after expenses—below the minimum wage. Some make nothing at all. www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
A new @hrw.org report finds platform workers in Texas make just $5.12/hour after expenses—below the minimum wage. Some make nothing at all. www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
11/ As more people are drawn to platform work, US federal & state authorities @dol.gov should step up to guarantee workers the protections they are entitled to, and work with the @ilo.org to establish a binding global standard for platform work. #ILC_2025 . Check out @ituc.bsky.social 's campaign👇
May 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
11/ As more people are drawn to platform work, US federal & state authorities @dol.gov should step up to guarantee workers the protections they are entitled to, and work with the @ilo.org to establish a binding global standard for platform work. #ILC_2025 . Check out @ituc.bsky.social 's campaign👇
9/ We also looked at what misclassification is costing Texas. From 2020-22 alone, gig companies avoided paying at least $111 million in unemployment insurance - money that should have gone to the state. The real loss is likely much higher.
May 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
9/ We also looked at what misclassification is costing Texas. From 2020-22 alone, gig companies avoided paying at least $111 million in unemployment insurance - money that should have gone to the state. The real loss is likely much higher.
8/ Two workers were threatened at gunpoint, another was carjacked. Several reported harassment & discrimination.
Because of misclassification, companies avoid @dol.gov OSHA reporting & liability for unsafe conditions, leaving workers with few protections and little recourse.
Because of misclassification, companies avoid @dol.gov OSHA reporting & liability for unsafe conditions, leaving workers with few protections and little recourse.
May 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
8/ Two workers were threatened at gunpoint, another was carjacked. Several reported harassment & discrimination.
Because of misclassification, companies avoid @dol.gov OSHA reporting & liability for unsafe conditions, leaving workers with few protections and little recourse.
Because of misclassification, companies avoid @dol.gov OSHA reporting & liability for unsafe conditions, leaving workers with few protections and little recourse.
6/ Platforms workers are also excluded from many social protection programs, including:
❌Unemployment benefits
❌Paid sick leave
❌Compensation in the event of injury.
When things go wrong, they're on their own.
❌Unemployment benefits
❌Paid sick leave
❌Compensation in the event of injury.
When things go wrong, they're on their own.
May 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
6/ Platforms workers are also excluded from many social protection programs, including:
❌Unemployment benefits
❌Paid sick leave
❌Compensation in the event of injury.
When things go wrong, they're on their own.
❌Unemployment benefits
❌Paid sick leave
❌Compensation in the event of injury.
When things go wrong, they're on their own.
5/ Pay is often unpredictable and low, especially after accounting for work expenses and benefits employers typically cover.
Texas workers @hrw.org surveyed earned just $5.12/hour, that’s 30% below the federal minimum wage & 70% below what MIT considers a living wage in the state.
Texas workers @hrw.org surveyed earned just $5.12/hour, that’s 30% below the federal minimum wage & 70% below what MIT considers a living wage in the state.
May 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
5/ Pay is often unpredictable and low, especially after accounting for work expenses and benefits employers typically cover.
Texas workers @hrw.org surveyed earned just $5.12/hour, that’s 30% below the federal minimum wage & 70% below what MIT considers a living wage in the state.
Texas workers @hrw.org surveyed earned just $5.12/hour, that’s 30% below the federal minimum wage & 70% below what MIT considers a living wage in the state.
4/ Workers shared what it means to be managed by algorithms, assigned orders, paid, & sometimes fired with no explanation.
Of the 127 Texas workers we surveyed:
🔸 65 feared deactivation
🔸 40 had been deactivated
🔸 Half were later cleared of wrongdoing.
See @abacci.bsky.social for more
Of the 127 Texas workers we surveyed:
🔸 65 feared deactivation
🔸 40 had been deactivated
🔸 Half were later cleared of wrongdoing.
See @abacci.bsky.social for more
May 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
4/ Workers shared what it means to be managed by algorithms, assigned orders, paid, & sometimes fired with no explanation.
Of the 127 Texas workers we surveyed:
🔸 65 feared deactivation
🔸 40 had been deactivated
🔸 Half were later cleared of wrongdoing.
See @abacci.bsky.social for more
Of the 127 Texas workers we surveyed:
🔸 65 feared deactivation
🔸 40 had been deactivated
🔸 Half were later cleared of wrongdoing.
See @abacci.bsky.social for more
3/ To understand the impact of the platform business model, @amostoh.bsky.social & I interviewed and surveyed 200+ workers in Texas & 12 other states. Many workers started platform work with high hopes - most were let down. Some ended up in debt or even homeless.
May 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
3/ To understand the impact of the platform business model, @amostoh.bsky.social & I interviewed and surveyed 200+ workers in Texas & 12 other states. Many workers started platform work with high hopes - most were let down. Some ended up in debt or even homeless.