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Lena Simet

@lenasimet.bsky.social

300 followers 300 following 60 posts

Senior Economic Justice Researcher @Human Rights Watch | Author of Cities and Economic Inequality in Latin America @Routledge

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · May 12

1/ After nearly 3 years of research, our @hrw.org report "The Gig Trap" is finally out. It documents how companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Shipt, Favor, and Amazon Flex created a business model that undermines labor rights & deepens inequality in the US. A 🧵https://hrw.org/node/391214

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Kartik Raj @kartikraj.bsky.social · 6d

One to watch for the ESCR nerds out there.

The first complaint from Germany to the UN CESCR, since the country relatively recently (Apr 2023) accepted the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR.

Focused on withdrawal of benefits from some asylum-seekers.

⬇️

Freiheitsrechte.org - GFF @freiheitsrechte.org · 7d

Keine Sozialleistungen für Geflüchtete? Wir reichen die erste Beschwerde aus Deutschland beim UN-Sozialpaktausschuss ein: Der Beschwerdeführer bekommt keine Leistungen mehr & ist obdachlos. Wir fordern schnelle Hilfe & die Abschaffung des Leistungsausschlusses: freiheitsrechte.org/existenziell...

Lena Frerichs, Juristin bei der GFF: „Jeder Mensch hat das Recht auf ein Dach über dem Kopf und ein Leben ohne Hunger – unabhängig vom Aufenthaltsstatus. Deutschland verletzt dieses soziale Menschenrecht. Dagegen haben wir die erste Beschwerde bei den Vereinten Nationen eingereicht.“

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Juliane Kippenberg @jkippenberg.bsky.social · 13d

The new rush on minerals carries massive human rights risks and has already caused harm to people and planet.

Colombia’s initiative at #UNEA7 is a chance to change course. With 50+ partners, we @hrw.org encourage Colombia to pursue its goal for a global binding agreement on mineral supply chains.

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Kartik Raj @kartikraj.bsky.social · 19d

Germany’s government is set to make major social security cuts, and replace the only recently-created “Citizen’s Income” with a more punitive “New Income for Jobseekers”.

These plans will increase poverty.

Human rights can help guide the debate back to what matters.

www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

A single mother in low-wage work shows her monthly household budget to Human Rights Watch during an interview, Baden-Württemberg, February 2023.
© 2023 Kartik Raj/ Human Rights Watch

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Aug 5

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...

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Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · Jul 30

Whether they perform surgery, pick fruit or tobacco, teach children, play music, or pack meat, immigrants' hands deserve dignity: not human rights violations.
#ConEstasManos #WithTheseHands

HRW shares this video in solidarity: www.youtube.com/watch?v=REXq...

With These Hands / Intro

YouTube video by SEIU California

www.youtube.com

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Human Rights Watch en Español @hrwespanol.bsky.social · Jul 29

⚖️ Justicia laboral para los trabajadores de plataforma.

Cada día, millones de trabajadores en EEUU se conectan a aplicaciones como @Uber, @DoorDash y @AmazonFlex para ganarse la vida, sin saber cuánto se les pagará, cómo se asignan los trabajos o si pueden ser expulsados
www.hrw.org/es/news/2025...

Un nuevo proyecto de ley podría frenar la explotación laboral en el trabajo a través de plataformas en EE. UU

La economía gig se rige por reglas ocultas. Cada día, millones de trabajadores en Estados Unidos se conectan a aplicaciones como Uber, DoorDash y Amazon Flex para ganarse la vida, sin saber cuánto se ...

www.hrw.org

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 29

The new bill would require weekly pay statements & per-job receipts. It also:
🛑 Bans discriminatory pay based on demographic data.
💻 Limits algorithmic control.
📊 Mandates transparency to the Dept of Labor.
💪 Preserves stronger local/state protections.

Congress should support it.

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 29

In a survey with platform workers in Texas, @hrw.org found that workers make $5.12/hr after expenses, that's 70 percent below a living wage. Some make nothing at all. No health care, paid leave, or unemployment protections. Many are laid off without notice, explanation, or recourse.

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 29

The Empowering App-Based Workers Act, introduced by @schatz.bsky.social & Senator Chris Murphy, would require platform companies to disclose how they use algorithms to manage, pay, assign, and suspend workers. It would guarantee ridehail drivers at least 75% of each fare.

Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 29

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 🧵

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 22

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...

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Kartik Raj @kartikraj.bsky.social · Jul 9

As the #UCBill (without PIP) returns to UK Parliament for its third (and final?) reading, my post for @hrw.org

www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...

The watered-down version of the Bill will still negatively affect many with disabilities and long term health conditions. The government should scrap it.

Revised UK Social Security Bill Still Harms Rights

The UK government’s draft law to cut spending on disability-related social security triggered major opposition from within the ruling party, forcing the government to roll back some of the legislation...

www.hrw.org

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Sylvain Aubry @sylvainaubry.bsky.social · Jul 3

"If you're not at the table, you're on the menu" 🍽️.

Why is #FFD4 important for human rights - and how can human rights contribute to reshaping global economic rules to make it fairer?

Our very own @mcconnell_m makes it very clear just 1️⃣ minute below.

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 3

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/...

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 2

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

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jul 2

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

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Kartik Raj @kartikraj.bsky.social · Jul 2

The UK government hasn’t really covered itself in glory over the past couple of weeks in terms of human rights in the domestic political agenda.

Let’s see how things are going on the international stage …

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

UK accused of hypocrisy at landmark UN foreign aid conference

Experts at the fourth Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) say the UK cannot talk up its role in helping developing nations while cutting aid commitments

www.independent.co.uk

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Sarah Saadoun @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social · Jul 1

“It’s appalling that President Trump ran on a campaign to fix the economy but is delivering a budget that makes ordinary people pay with their health for tax breaks for millionaires” @mattcconnell.bsky.social @hrw.org on the catastrophe of a budget the senate just passed www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...

US: Budget Would Benefit Wealthiest at Expense of Rights

The budget reconciliation bill passed by the United States Senate today would extend tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the country’s wealthiest families while reducing spending on health and ot...

www.hrw.org

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Kartik Raj @kartikraj.bsky.social · Jul 1

1/15 🧵

Today, the UK government will ask MPs to railroad through social security legislation that makes cuts to disability-related benefits to the next stage.

@hrw.org joins 80+ other orgs asking MPs to reject the UCPIP Bill. It is bad news for human rights.

www.ucpipbill.co.uk/wp-content/u...

Joint civil society statement on the UC & PIP Bill
Monday 30th June 2025
We are coming together as organisations committed to fighting poverty,
providing advice, and supporting and championing the rights of disabled
people, their families, and carers. We stand firmly with disabled people and
their organisations in calling for the UK government to withdraw the UC & PIP
Bill and to undertake genuine dialogue with disabled people to shape
reforms centred on the rights and dignity that all disabled people need and
deserve.
At a time when the share of GDP spent on working-age social security has
remained stable for the last ten years, cutting the incomes of disabled people
is a political choice. There is time for the government to pursue alternatives.
If this Bill is voted through, then by 2030 it will have cut PIP for more than
400,000 disabled people and Universal Credit for more than 700,000 people
who are disabled or have a long-term health condition. These numbers will
only increase in the years to follow.

This Bill has also been brought before parliament:
• Without consultation with disabled people
• Without any assessment of its impact on health and employment
outcomes
• Before the planned review of the PIP assessment has properly begun
its work
• Without knowing how the outcome of the PIP review may affect these
reforms
The changes announced last week and the compressed timetable for scrutiny
mean that MPs will only have a single day to debate or amend the new
provisions. There is too much at stake for disabled people for this Bill to be
rushed through without the opportunity for meaningful challenge or
scrutiny. We urge all MPs to vote against this Bill at Second Reading.

Signatories
Acts 435
Action for Children
Amnesty International
British Association of Social
Workers
Camphill Village Trust
Centre for Mental Health
Child Poverty Action Group
Children & Young People's Mental
Health Coalition
Children First
Citizens Advice
Community Money Advice
Crisis
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Debt Justice
Diabetes UK
Disability Benefits Consortium
Disability Law Service
Disabled People Against Cuts
End Child Poverty Coalition
Endometriosis UK
Engender
Fuel Poverty Action
Home Start
Human Rights Watch
Huntington's Disease Association
Imagine Act and Succeed
In Kind Direct
Independent Age
Independent Food Aid Network
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Kidney Care
Learning Disability Allies
Leonard Cheshire
ME Foggy Dog
Mental Health Foundation
Mental Health UK
Mind
Money and Mental Health Policy
Institute
MS Society
National Autistic Society
National Children's Bureau
National Rheumatoid Arthritis
Society
National Survivor User Network
Neuroendocrine Cancer UK
New Economics Foundation
Oxfam
Parkinson's UK
Quaker Social Action
Rethink Mental Illness
Royal National Institute of Blind
People
Royal National Institute of Deaf
People
SeeAbility
Scope
Sense
Shelter
Sisters of Frida
St Mungo's
Stripy Lightbulb CIC
The Children's Society
The Food Foundation
The Poverty Alliance
The Salvation Army
Trussell
Turn2Us
Turning Point
Versus Arthritis
Voluntary Organisations Disability
Group
We Care Campaign
Whizz Kidz
Women's Budget Group
Young Lives vs Cancer
Z2K
4 in 10
Black Country Foodbank
Citizens Advice Scotland
Close the Gap
Food Plymouth
Hartlepool Foodbank
Includem
North East Child Poverty
Commission
One Parent Families Scotland
Parenting Across Scotland
Scottish Women's Budget Group
Shelter Scotland
Stay Safe East
The Scottish Pantry Network

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Juliane Kippenberg @jkippenberg.bsky.social · Jul 1

Our new @hrw piece on how a good EU law on the rights of people affected by corporate abuse in global supply chains is being gutted - and how EU member states want to replace it with window-dressing:

www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...

EU Council Turning Supply Chain Law into Window Dressing

European Union member states led by France and Germany are walking back on their commitment to protect human rights and the environment in global supply chains.

www.hrw.org

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Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · Jun 30

US Senators are currently debating the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" to advance President Trump’s agenda.

This bill is not a solution to economic inequality or for managing immigration procedures – it is a blueprint for cruelty.

✍️ Urge Congress to stop the bill NOW:
www.hrw.org/NotOnOurWatch

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jun 30

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...

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jun 27

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...

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socialprotection.org @socialprotection.org · Jun 20

🎙️ 🎧 New #SPpodcast Episode – Listen now: ``Financing for Social Protection: Turning Commitments into Action`` tinyurl.com/SPpodcast51%... the world gears up for the 4th #FFD4, one thing is clear: It’s time to rethink how we fund social protection.

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Lena Simet @lenasimet.bsky.social · Jun 27

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...

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