Economics

In “The Spirit Level,” Richard Wilkinson charts data that proves societies that are more equal are healthier, happier societies. Why you should listen to him: For decades, Richard Wilkinson has studied the social effects of income inequality and how social…

Academics write to EU chief to demand no sell-out on settlment funding ban BRICUP and AURDIP | 12 September 2013 | Academics across Europe express outrage at Israeli/US pressure on EU Over 500 academics, including researchers from 13 European Union member states, have…

A zero-hour contract is a type of contract used in the UK by an increasing number of firms which does not commit the employer to provide any specific work for the employee, who agrees to be available for work as…

By Colombia Solidarity Campaign A dozen ‘flying pickets’ visited the London offices of mining multinationals Glencore Xstrata, Anglo American and BHP Billiton yesterday, demanding that they abandon plans to evict the small farming community of Roche in Colombia. The three…

Farmers and truckers protest against government agricultural and trade policies. An Aug. 19 strike has since erupted into hundreds of thousands of largely farmers and truckers protesting the government for its trade and agricultural policies, demanding changes such as cheaper…

By Martin Khor In this column, Martin Khor, the executive director of the South Centre, warns that industrialised powers are taking aim against the role of the state in developing countries. GENEVA, Aug 17 2013 (IPS) – Two new trade agreements involving…

April 10, 2013 Ipsos Media of Hong Kong released an overview of a survey that queried people aged 12-64 in Hong Kong. The survey was conducted year-round, and Ipsos spoke with 6,100 people to obtain the data, covering the January…

BARCELONA, Spain, Aug 8 2013 (IPS) – Even in death, people in Spain cannot escape the economic crisis. Funeral services carry the highest VAT (value added tax) rate, alongside entertainment like nightclubs, and luxury products. “I paid over 7,000 euros…

Eradicate extreme poverty amounting to 8.51 percent last June, and reduce it to seven points as income of the 23.69 percent, are two main goals of the Ecuadorian Strategy for Equality and Eradication of Poverty. This strategy will be coordinated…

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 31 2013 (IPS) – Despite global efforts to provide development aid, the world’s poorest are getting poorer, says a new report by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). “What we found through the research with people…