Michelle Chen

Contributing Writer

@meeshellchen

Michelle Chen is a contributing writer for The Nation.

These Lawmakers Think the Minimum Wage Should Be Even Lower

These Lawmakers Think the Minimum Wage Should Be Even Lower These Lawmakers Think the Minimum Wage Should Be Even Lower

In states from South Dakota to Oklahoma, right-wing representatives are pulling every string to try to keep the poor down.

Feb 18, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Is Welfare Reform Causing Earlier Deaths?

Is Welfare Reform Causing Earlier Deaths? Is Welfare Reform Causing Earlier Deaths?

We’ve reformed the social safety net at the cost of human lives.

Feb 17, 2015 / Michelle Chen

How Do You Organize Workers Who Live and Sleep in Their Bosses’ Homes?

How Do You Organize Workers Who Live and Sleep in Their Bosses’ Homes? How Do You Organize Workers Who Live and Sleep in Their Bosses’ Homes?

Hong Kong’s domestic workers face an uphill struggle to secure their basic rights against exploitation and abuse.

Feb 13, 2015 / Michelle Chen

How a Migrant Worker’s Torture Exposed Hong Kong’s Underground Economy

How a Migrant Worker’s Torture Exposed Hong Kong’s Underground Economy How a Migrant Worker’s Torture Exposed Hong Kong’s Underground Economy

Domestic workers are demanding an end to slavery-like conditions in the homes of the Hong Kong rich.

Feb 11, 2015 / Michelle Chen

This Legislation Could Effectively Squash Public-Sector Strikes in the UK

This Legislation Could Effectively Squash Public-Sector Strikes in the UK This Legislation Could Effectively Squash Public-Sector Strikes in the UK

The Conservative Party’s proposal to increase the thresholds for strike votes isn’t about democracy—it’s about stifling unions.

Feb 9, 2015 / Michelle Chen

How US ‘Free Trade’ Policies Created the Central American Migration Crisis

How US ‘Free Trade’ Policies Created the Central American Migration Crisis How US ‘Free Trade’ Policies Created the Central American Migration Crisis

To strengthen corporate dominance, Washington steadily undermined democracy, encouraged exploitation and nourished anti-union violence in the south.

Feb 6, 2015 / Michelle Chen

This Unnoticed Part of Obama’s Childcare Initiative Is a Big Deal

This Unnoticed Part of Obama’s Childcare Initiative Is a Big Deal This Unnoticed Part of Obama’s Childcare Initiative Is a Big Deal

Obama’s proposal to fund home visiting services is a laudable step toward serving the comprehensive needs of parents, whether they are working or not.

Feb 4, 2015 / Michelle Chen

The City That Outlawed Free Food

The City That Outlawed Free Food The City That Outlawed Free Food

Activists in Fort Lauderdale have just filed a lawsuit alleging that the city’s ban on providing food to the homeless violates the First Amendment.

Feb 2, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Canada’s New Law Is Forcing Sex Workers Onto the Streets and Into Harm’s Way

Canada’s New Law Is Forcing Sex Workers Onto the Streets and Into Harm’s Way Canada’s New Law Is Forcing Sex Workers Onto the Streets and Into Harm’s Way

Advocates say the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act is trying to end sex work by making it too dangerous to perform.

Jan 29, 2015 / Michelle Chen

What Does Syriza’s Victory Mean for Greece’s Immigrants?

What Does Syriza’s Victory Mean for Greece’s Immigrants? What Does Syriza’s Victory Mean for Greece’s Immigrants?

The party’s platform includes some of the most progressive immigration policies in the Eurozone—but can they make those ideas a reality?

Jan 27, 2015 / Michelle Chen

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