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Ruth Castel-Branco

Research Manager, University of the Witwatersrand
Ruth Castel Branco is the Research Manager for the Future of Work(ers) project at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. She holds a MA in Development Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2012), a BA in Geography and African Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005); and is awaiting a PhD in Sociology (2021) at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her PhD is titled, “A radical politics of distribution? Work, welfare and public works programmes”. It explores the meanings of work among the seemingly unemployed and the emancipatory possibilities (as well as limitations of cash transfers). Prior to pursuing a PhD, she was the national coordinator for social and maternity protection for the International Labour Organization in Mozambique. Her research interests include social protection, minimum wages and (informal) worker organising.

Worker organisations can survive the digital age. Here's how

Nov 15, 2022 16:42 pm UTC| Insights & Views Business

There is a widespread view that labour has become irrelevant as a force for change. The argument goes that the proliferation of digital labour platforms and the rise in job insecurity this brings means that worker...

Digital labour platforms subject global South workers to 'algorithmic insecurity'

Jul 18, 2022 07:03 am UTC| Economy

Digital labour platforms are rapidly transforming the world of work. Many governments in the global south have welcomed platforms that bring businesses, workers and consumers together, creating opportunities to reduce...

The Fourth Industrial Revolution: a seductive idea requiring critical engagement

Jun 09, 2022 08:48 am UTC| Insights & Views

Narrative frames are fundamental to unifying ideologies. They frame what is possible and impossible, which ideas can be accepted and which must be rejected. In her book, Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics, storyteller...

Economy

Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data

Gold and silver prices edged lower in Asian trading on Tuesday as investors booked profits after a strong rally, while global markets turned cautious ahead of critical U.S. economic data. The pullback comes after precious...

Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge

South Koreas central bank has pushed back against claims that excessive domestic liquidity is the main driver behind the weakening won and rising residential property prices, calling such arguments an overstatement. In a...

Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface

Australian consumer sentiment weakened sharply in early December, according to a private survey released on Tuesday, highlighting growing concerns about inflation and the broader economic outlook. The latest...

Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data

Wall Street futures edged lower on Monday evening as technology stocks remained under pressure following several weak sessions, while investors turned cautious ahead of critical US labor market and inflation data. Market...

Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is widely expected to raise interest rates to 0.75% at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting on Friday, marking the highest level in more than 30 years and closing the year with two rate...

Politics

Sydney Bondi Beach Terror Attack Kills 16, Sparks Gun Law and Security Debate

Australian authorities are investigating a deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration near Sydneys Bondi Beach as a suspected act of terrorism inspired by Islamic State, marking the countrys worst mass shooting in...

Trump’s Rob Reiner Remarks Spark Bipartisan Outrage After Tragic Deaths

President Donald Trump is facing sharp bipartisan criticism after posting controversial remarks about actor and director Rob Reiner following the shocking deaths of Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner. The comments, shared...

Taiwan Political Standoff Deepens as President Lai Urges Parliament to Withdraw Disputed Laws

Taiwans political crisis has intensified as President Lai Ching-te warned that the islands global credibility and economic competitiveness are at risk, urging parliament to withdraw a series of controversial laws opposed...

Trump Weighs Reclassifying Marijuana as Schedule III, Potentially Transforming U.S. Cannabis Industry

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a move that could significantly reshape federal cannabis policy and the broader marijuana industry. If...

Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting Sparks Calls for Stronger Protection of Jewish Community in Australia

Israels ambassador to Australia has urged the federal government to strengthen protections for Jewish communities following a deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah festival near Sydneys Bondi Beach. The attack, which occurred...

Science

Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee announced it will vote on December 8 on President Donald Trumps renewed nomination of private astronaut and tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for his...

NASA Cuts Boeing Starliner Missions as SpaceX Pulls Ahead

NASA has significantly scaled back Boeings Starliner program after years of technical issues and delays, announcing that the next Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will fly without astronauts. The...

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Achieves Breakthrough Success With First NASA Mission

Blue Origins massive New Glenn rocket marked a major milestone as it completed its first mission for paying customers, sending two NASA satellites toward Mars and successfully landing its reusable booster at sea. The...

Cogent Biosciences Soars 120% on Breakthrough Phase 3 Results for Bezuclastinib in GIST Treatment

Cogent Biosciences (NASDAQ: COGT) shares skyrocketed over 120% after the biotech company announced groundbreaking results from its Phase 3 PEAK trial evaluating bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib for patients with...

Trump and Merck KGaA Partner to Slash IVF Drug Costs and Expand Fertility Coverage

U.S. President Donald Trump and German pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA have announced a groundbreaking deal aimed at lowering the cost of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments while boosting access to fertility care in...

Technology

Biren Technology Targets Hong Kong IPO to Raise $300 Million Amid China’s AI Chip Push

Chinese artificial intelligence chip startup Biren Technology is preparing to launch a Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) in the coming weeks, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The Shanghai-based...

SUPERFORTUNE Launches AI-Powered Mobile App, Expanding Beyond Web3 Into $392 Billion Metaphysics Market

SUPERFORTUNE, a web3 AI application incubated by Manta Network, has launched its first mobile application, expanding beyond crypto-native users into the global consumer market. The SUPERFORTUNE mobile app delivers...

iRobot Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Rising Competition and Tariff Pressures

iRobot, the company behind the popular Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States as it prepares to go private through an acquisition by Picea Robotics, its primary...

Nvidia Weighs Expanding H200 AI Chip Production as China Demand Surges

Nvidia is evaluating whether to expand production capacity for its powerful H200 artificial intelligence chips after demand from Chinese customers significantly exceeded current supply, according to multiple sources...

SpaceX Begins IPO Preparations as Wall Street Banks Line Up for Advisory Roles

SpaceX has reportedly begun the early stages of preparing for a potential initial public offering (IPO), marking a significant milestone for the private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. According to a report from...