• About UGM
  • SIMASTER
  • SINTESIS
  • Public Information
  • SDGs
  • English
    • Bahasa Indonesia
    • English
Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business
  •  About Us
    • Overview
    • History of The Establishment
    • Mission & Vission
    • School Values
    • School Leadership
    • Senate Leadership
    • Department Leadership
    • Study Program Leadership
    • Unit Leadership
    • Faculty Advisory Board
    • Annual Report
    • Campus Facilities
    • Visual Identity
    • News Room
    • The 70th Anniversary
  • Academic Programs
    • Undergraduate Program
    • Master Program
    • Doctoral Program
    • Profession Program
    • Short Academic Programs
    • Professional Programs & Certification
    • International Undergraduate Program
    • International Doctorate in Business (IDB)
    • Academic Calendar
    • Rooms and Events
  • Faculty & Research
    • School Memberships
    • School Accreditation
    • International Networks
    • Faculty Members
    • Visiting Professor & Research Fellows
    • Professional Staffs
    • Publications
    • Published Journals
    • Working Papers
    • Fields of Study
    • Supporting Units
    • International Conference Partnership
    • Call for Papers
    • Community Service
    • Faculty Library
  • Admission
  • Home
  • News

The Urgency of Labor Economics in the Lens of Agriculture and Sweatshops

  • News
  • 11 July 2023, 10.22
  • By : Admin
Dr. Anita Pena

Monday (10/07). In the 2023 Global Summer Week (GSW) series, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), Dr. Anita Alves Pena, professor of Economics and Environmental Health and Employment at Colorado State University (CSU) and Colorado School of Public Health, presents research that focuses on the intersections of labor economics, health, and occupational safety in the agricultural sector, with particular emphasis on immigrant agricultural workers in the United States (US). In her research, Anita explores the production decisions of companies that consider labor, materials and capital as inputs and how they affect production, which minimizes costs. In addition, she also discusses the implications of ethics in occupational health and safety, especially in manufacturing factories that employ workers with poor working conditions around the world.

In her study, Dr. Pena analyzes the health and safety vulnerabilities immigrant farm workers face in the US. These vulnerabilities include challenges related to field sanitation, access to clean water, and primary workers’ rights. The COVID-19 pandemic has also seen far-reaching impacts on workers’ health and safety, such as disruptions in the food supply chain and increased vulnerability.

Data analysis using the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) found that older agricultural workers with better access to health care have higher risk levels of COVID-19, such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Limitations in field sanitation and housing quality further exacerbate the risk of COVID-19 transmission among agricultural workers. These findings emphasize the importance of worker protection to minimize long-term public health costs. Improved field sanitation and social distancing measures at work and residential locations can reduce health and economic risks. Targeted policies can address demographic and job-related characteristics associated with high risk and provide specific guidance for at-risk workers.

This study also highlights the importance of agricultural supply chain analysis, which includes the entire production and delivery process of products or services. Understanding the complexity and dependencies in the supply chain is crucial to addressing occupational health and safety issues effectively.

Dr. Anita Pena also discussed the ethical issue of social inequality in Sweatshops. She opened a discussion session about business ethics in sweatshops, especially in the context of developing countries, namely Bangladesh and Vietnam, which are usually used as factories by multinational Sweatshop companies. She invited students to apply the principles of labor economics, business ethics, labor law, socioeconomic equality and the Gini ratio in analyzing the ethics of the Sweatshop. Then, the students sponsored the discussion session enthusiastically, and some of them got the opportunity to present the results of their discussions.

Reportage: Hayfaza Nayottama 
Watch the full vifeo at https://youtu.be/u5iXATECW1g 

Views: 301

Related Posts

Fajar Munichputranto

The Story of Fajar Munichputranto, Double Degree MBA Student at FEB UGM and LPDP Scholarship Recipient

News Friday, 24 October 2025

Not everyone dares to step out of their comfort zone to pursue a new calling. Fajar Munichputranto, a student of the Master of Management Program at FEB UGM and recipient of the LPDP Scholarship, chose to take that leap.

Mubyarto Public Policy Forum 2025

FEB UGM and ANU Hold Mubyarto Public Policy Forum, Highlighting Welfare Reform in Indonesia

News Friday, 24 October 2025

The Faculty of Economics and Business, Gadjah Mada University (FEB UGM), in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU), once again held the Mubyarto Public Policy Forum 2025 on Friday (24/10/2025) at the Function Hall, 8th floor of the FEB UGM Learning Centre Building.

FEB UGM

FEB UGM Implements Water Saving Programme to Support Sustainability

News Friday, 24 October 2025

The Faculty of Economics and Business, Gadjah Mada University (FEB UGM) continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability through various environmentally friendly initiatives.

Wisnu Setiadi Nugroho

FEB UGM Economist: Young People Find It Hard to Get Jobs, Government Policies Still Short-Term

News Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Government policies addressing employment issues are often piecemeal and short-term in nature. Economist and Lecturer at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), Wisnu Setiadi Nugroho, S.E., M.Sc., M.A., Ph.D., highlighted the increasing difficulty young people, including graduates from top universities, face in finding jobs that match their competencies.

“Many of the government’s current policies tend to be patchwork and short-term.

Latest News

  • The Story of Fajar Munichputranto, Double Degree MBA Student at FEB UGM and LPDP Scholarship Recipient
    24 October, 2025
  • FEB UGM and ANU Hold Mubyarto Public Policy Forum, Highlighting Welfare Reform in Indonesia
    24 October, 2025
  • FEB UGM Implements Water Saving Programme to Support Sustainability
    24 October, 2025
  • FEB UGM Economist: Young People Find It Hard to Get Jobs, Government Policies Still Short-Term
    22 October, 2025
  • FEB UGM Graduates 312 Postgraduate Students
    21 October, 2025
Universitas Gadjah Mada

Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Jln. Sosio Humaniora No.1, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55281

Map & Direction
More Contact Information

Faculty Directory

  • Public Information
  • Room Management
  • Asset Management
  • Cemetery Management

Student

  • Student Community
  • Student Services
  • Career Development
  • International Exposure
  • Scholarships
  • Internships

Alumni

  • Alumni Community
  • Alumni Services
  • Tracer Study
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Scholarships

Social Media

© 2025 Faculty of Economics and Business UGM

DisclaimerSite Map

💬 Need help?
1
FEB UGM Official WhatsApp
Hello 👋
Can we help you?
Open chat
[EN] We use cookies to help our viewer get the best experience on our website. -- [ID] Kami menggunakan cookie untuk membantu pengunjung kami mendapatkan pengalaman terbaik di situs web kami.I Agree / Saya Setuju