Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
8333 results for "labor standards"
Malaysia is creating the country's first industry standards for 3D printed construction, a breakthrough that could transform how homes and buildings are built. The move tackles labor shortages, waste, and rising costs while positioning Malaysia as a regional innovation leader.
Telangana officials rescued 529 people, including 226 children and nine infants, from four brick kilns where they were trapped in bonded labor. Two state governments are now working together to help these families rebuild their lives.
Healthcare workers in Tanzania just completed specialized training to staff the country's first WHO-standard neonatal unit, bringing world-class premature infant care to families who previously had nowhere to turn. Mothers will now stay with their babies throughout treatment, a proven approach that saves lives.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Fd5%2Fc2%2Fd5c25672-de83-407c-98d0-66d9a91630e4%2Fjulaugsum2026_i16_liberty_copy.jpg)
When Lewis Hine snuck into factories with his camera in 1908, two million American children worked full-time jobs. His powerful photographs helped cut that number in half and sparked the nation's first child labor laws.
India just banned imports of goods made with forced labor, joining a growing global movement for ethical trade. The historic policy shift could reshape supply chains across South Asia while clearing the path for a major trade deal with the United States.
India's labor code reforms sparked a hiring boom in small cities, with job postings jumping 56% in some markets. The changes proved critics wrong, creating more formal jobs for women and workers outside major metros.
Federal lawmakers just introduced legislation requiring all Department of Energy funded projects to create good-paying union jobs and benefit local communities. The Good Energy Jobs Act would make permanent the labor standards that have already helped spark billions in clean energy investments across America.
Engineers are redesigning the internet with children in mind for the first time. A global movement is using technical standards to make digital spaces safer for the one-third of internet users under 18.
Chinese tech giant Huawei has teamed up with OpenAI, Google, and other American companies to set global standards for AI development. The rare collaboration bridges geopolitical divides in the race to build safer, more accessible artificial intelligence.
Kerala is leading India's pushback against new federal labor laws that workers say threaten their rights. The state government promised to use every constitutional tool to protect its workforce.
A political science student spent eight years working alongside Beijing's day laborers to understand their lives and challenge misconceptions. His research reveals the dignity, pride, and mental toll behind society's most overlooked workers.
Seven members of India's Irular tribal community, including three teenage boys, have been freed from forced labor at a brick kiln where they endured beatings, 15-hour workdays, and inhumane conditions. The rescue is opening doors to financial aid and protection for the vulnerable families.
At a major UN labor conference, Saudi Arabia called for AI that protects workers while boosting productivity. The Kingdom showcased digital tools already helping 12 million workers navigate the tech revolution.
The Netherlands just opened a permanent anti-trafficking unit in Ghana's cocoa region, protecting vulnerable children from forced labor. Over 1.5 million children currently work in dangerous conditions across West African cocoa farms.
Morocco is showcasing major progress in reducing child labor as it prepares to host a global conference in Marrakech. The nation's achievements could inspire other countries to accelerate their own child protection efforts.
A single question from a desperate father led lawyer Shekhar Mahajan to build a rescue operation that has freed nearly 3,000 children from bonded labor and given them a path to education. His team works undercover, sometimes for days, to gather evidence and coordinate rescues with police.
International development program helps Nigerian cassava farmers meet global production standards. Two processing centers in Enugu State earned praise for cleanliness and safety practices that protect consumers.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers just introduced groundbreaking legislation to create the first modern federal safety standards for e-bikes in over 20 years. The Safe SPEEDS Act could replace confusing state-by-state rules with clear national guidelines that protect riders while supporting clean transportation.
The renewable energy boom is creating a maze of confusing options for homeowners, but industry leaders say creating fiduciary standards could protect families while accelerating the clean energy transition.
A powerful coalition of government agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders gathered in India to tackle child labor with a clear message: every child deserves books, not tools. The city-wide awareness campaign marks a growing movement to protect vulnerable children and ensure their right to education.
Showing 20 of 8333