What We Do
China Labor Watch
Why our work matters
In a globalized system of inequality dominated by an economic model that prioritize short-term profit over people’s wellbeing, workers’ rights, power, and access to support networks are undermined. The rise of geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainties amid a climate crisis have further intensified workers’ vulnerabilities — especially for workers from historically marginalized communities in the Global South. There is a pressing need to support and protect workers around the globe.
Through our programs, we identify violations, conduct thorough investigations, share knowledge with business, government, and civil society actors, and work to prevent further harm by holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring they cease illegal or unethical practices. We also work with workers and labor activists to magnify workers’ voices, strengthen collective actions, and equip workers the power to demand better treatments.
In-depth Research
In the modern world, the intricate and extended global supply chains, coupled with censorships, inequality of access, and a host of issues have rendered how goods are produced increasingly opaque.
Since 2000, we have built a network of like-minded partners and aspirers who collaborate with us on investigations. Through this network, we identify violations, conduct thorough investigations, and work to prevent further harm by holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring they cease illegal or unethical practices. Our investigations focus on Chinese-owned enterprises globally, as well as in China.
Worker Power
With state-sanctioned mass surveillance and repression on the rise, our work prioritizes amplifying the voices of workers, whose struggles are increasingly silenced.
To support worker power, we work to strengthen workers’ collective actions, empower them with knowledge and to elevate their voices, and incorporate workers and local communities in the business and government decision-making process through training and capacity building and supporting cross-community solidarity and collective actions.
Strategic Advocacy
As business dealings in today's global economy is dominated by a profit-driven model over individual wellbeing and community rights, change requires a systemic reimagination of how we conduct businesses in the world.
Systemic change involves multiple stakeholders. Guided by tangible research and worker experience, we engage with a host of partners and stakeholders to share knowledge and advocate for change in business labor practices.