Collection

How the global labor force will impact the future of tech

Gig work, remote work, unions, strikes: we investigate how the people who make the tech, and those who bring the tech into the real world, are shaping the global tech narrative, reshaping labor laws, and shining a light on injustice.

Global Tech’s Very Bad Year 15 March 2023

Nigeria’s tech workers got used to good salaries and high demand. Then came the crash

Laid-off employees are scrambling to adjust their lifestyles as funding crunches hit the already struggling economy.

By Ope Adetayo

Global Tech’s Very Bad Year 13 March 2023

Tech’s very bad year, in numbers

Reduced investment and large-scale layoffs have created dark times for tech globally.

By Issie Lapowsky and Erin Wong

Labor 16 February 2023

Heartbroken gamers mourn World of Warcraft’s shutdown in China

3 million players — some of whom made their living on WoW — are now without their beloved pastime.

By Caiwei Chen

An illustration using photos of Japanese manga artist Ken Akamatsu

Labor 16 February 2023

This Japanese manga artist-turned-politician is taking on AI art

Lawmakers have floated policy responses to protect artists, but some question whether they can follow through.

By Andrew Deck

Features 31 January 2023

‘iPhones are made in hell’: 3 months inside China’s iPhone city

Workers describe a peak production season marred by labor protests and Covid-19 chaos, right as Apple reconsiders its China supply chain.

By Viola Zhou

Labor 4 January 2023

Meet the most powerful Uber driver in India

Shaik Salauddin: the Indian driver turned union leader who is brushing shoulders with top politicians and giving ride-hailing firms a run for their money.

By Varsha Bansal

A food deliveryman working for Baedal Minjok, a South Korean food delivery unicorn startup, rubs his eyes during his night-time food delivery on a motorbike.

Ideas 21 December 2022

Millions of workers are managed by algorithms

One day, that could be normal. Here’s what we need to do about it.

By PeiChin Tay and Oliver Large

People walk past an Amazon warehouse in Tijuana, Mexico.

E-commerce 12 December 2022

Amazon was supposed to transform a Tijuana slum. It failed to deliver

Amazon benefits from local poverty through exploitative subcontracts, experts say.

By Manuel Ayala and Carlos A. Moreno

Labor 8 December 2022

Uruguay is plotting to poach Argentina’s tech sector

Escaping crisis, Argentine tech workers want to recreate their home startup scene just across the river.

By Lucía Cholakian Herrera and Florencia Pagola

Reports 14 November 2022

Malaysia built a WFH paradise. Now it just needs people to turn up.

With pristine beaches and robot waiters, the country is luring back digital nomads — but it’s also making early stumbles.

By Antonia Timmerman

Reports 2 November 2022

Ethiopia’s ride-hailing startups face their toughest opponents: each other

The sector is plagued with infighting and lawsuits, including one company's attempt to trademark the word “ride.”

By Kaleab Girma

Reports 28 September 2022

In war-scarred Bosnia, tech startups fight massive brain drain

The industry represents a rare bright spot in the country's struggling economy.

By Ben Weiss, Anna Miller and Liza Schmidt

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