Trump administration plans to deregulate over 60 US labour laws: Is it time for international students to look elsewhere?
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The proposed rollback, aimed at eliminating what the Department of Labor calls 'outdated and burdensome' rules, covers a wide range of provisions, minimum wage thresholds, safety regulations, overtime protections, and union-related rules.
While the administration frames the move as pro-growth and business-friendly, global observers warn that it could further erode the United States' standing as a top destination for international students and skilled workers.
What's changing?
The proposed changes target core federal protections that govern the American workplace. Among them:
Weakening of minimum wage and overtime rules for specific job categories
Relaxation of workplace safety standards across high-risk industries
Reduction in oversight of employer violations and worker grievances
Rollback of certain union and collective bargaining rights
The Labor Department claims the deregulation will streamline compliance and stimulate job creation. However, critics argue it opens the door to increased exploitation, especially in sectors employing temporary, immigrant, or entry-level workers.
Global gap widens
Even before the proposed deregulation, the United States already lagged behind most developed nations in labour protections.
In contrast, the European Union enforces bloc-wide standards on critical issues like working hours, paid leave, occupational safety, and employee participation in workplace decisions.
Countries such as Germany, Canada, Australia, and the Nordic nations go further, offering:
Stronger social safety nets
Faster grievance redressal mechanisms
National minimum wage guarantees
Universal healthcare access, often tied to employment
By comparison, the US approach is more fragmented and employer-driven. The country has ratified fewer than 15 International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, well below the average for advanced economies—particularly in areas like freedom of association, collective bargaining, and worker safety.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The proposed rollback of over 60 labour protections would only widen this divide, raising concerns about how the US is positioned in the global education and employment ecosystem. For international students weighing their options, a less protected labour market could make the US less attractive for post-study careers and long-term settlement.
Implications for international students
For international students, especially those pursuing degrees with plans to work in the US through programs like OPT (Optional Practical Training) or H-1B visas, the changes could significantly alter expectations. A deregulated labour market could lead to:
Weaker job security after graduation
Reduced workplace safety and protection, especially in STEM and industrial fields
Increased difficulty in reporting violations or securing fair treatment
While US universities remain globally respected, the long-term value of an American education is increasingly tied to post-study work opportunities.
With diminished labour protections, the pathway from student to skilled professional may become more precarious.
Shifting student preferences
Amid changing US policy, many international students are looking toward alternative destinations that offer both educational quality and worker-friendly environments. Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia have gained traction for combining post-study work rights with clearer pathways to permanent residency and better labour conditions.
Recent years have seen a measurable uptick in international student interest in countries with more stable immigration systems and higher labour protections. The proposed US deregulation may accelerate this shift.
Strategic risk for the US
Labour deregulation may lower costs and increase flexibility for employers, but it also raises reputational concerns for the United States. Countries perceived to have lax worker protections risk trade friction, ethical sourcing bans, and a decline in global talent inflows.
In a globalised education market where students factor in long-term outcomes, such shifts can influence university application trends, talent retention, and economic competitiveness.
The Trump administration's labour deregulation drive marks a turning point in U.S. workplace policy. While it may appeal to business interests, it also introduces uncertainty for those planning to build a future in the country. For international students weighing their options, the message is increasingly clear: academic excellence alone is no longer enough—labour protections matter too.
As other nations expand both student-friendly and worker-protective policies, the United States risks losing ground in the global race for education, talent, and innovation.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump's tariff hike could shave 0.3 pp off India's GDP: Goldman Sachs
India condemns new 25% duty on exports; total levy now at 50%; analysts expect talks before August 27 deadline New Delhi India's economy could take an additional 0.3 percentage point (pp) annualised hit to real gross domestic product (GDP) growth following US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a fresh 25 per cent duty on Indian imports, Goldman Sachs said. This is over and above the 0.3 pp impact previously estimated from the April 2025 tariff round. According to Goldman Sachs, once exclusions, such as those under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act, 1962, are applied, the effective average tariff rate on Indian exports to the US will settle at around 32 per cent. US doubles tariff on Indian goods On Wednesday evening, Trump issued an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian imports. This brings the total levy to 50 per cent, effective August 27. India's US exposure significant India's exposure to the US market is substantial. Around 4 per cent of India's GDP is linked to final demand from the United States, Goldman Sachs analysts noted. In FY25, India exported goods worth $86.5 billion to the US, while imports stood at $45.7 billion. Key exports include electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, while major imports are crude oil, gems and jewellery, and machinery. Russian crude oil: A flashpoint in India-US trade relations One major point of tension is oil. While Russia provided about one-third of India's crude oil in FY25, the US share was just 4 per cent. That share did rise to 8 per cent in April and May 2025, but the US remains a minor supplier overall. MEA terms move 'unfair' India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the US action ' unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.' It said India's energy sourcing was guided by market pricing and supply security. 'It is extremely unfortunate that the US has chosen to penalise India for decisions being made by several other countries in their own national interest,' the MEA said in a strongly worded statement. PM Modi: Farmers, fishers, dairy will not be sacrificed Addressing the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India would not compromise on the interests of its farmers, fishers, or dairy industry. ' The interest of our farmers is our top priority … I know that I will have to pay a heavy personal price for this. But I am ready for it,' the Prime Minister said. Room for negotiations remains Goldman Sachs has not revised its India GDP forecast yet, but flagged the possibility of further impact if retaliatory actions or broader trade restrictions follow. 'There is a window for negotiation,' the report said, pointing to the three-week gap before the new tariffs come into effect. A day earlier, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its FY26 GDP growth projection steady at 6.5 per cent, citing a lack of sufficient data to warrant revisions. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, speaking after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, said, ' We do not have sufficient data to revise our GDP forecast,' adding that global uncertainties had already been factored into earlier projections.
Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
Renol Polychem IPO listing: Renol Polychem share price makes flat debut on NSE SME, tanks 5% to hit lower circuit
Renol Polychem IPO listing: Renol Polychem share price debuted flat on the NSE SME on Thursday, August 7, amid weak market sentiment on worries over Trump tariffs. Renol Polychem stock opened at par its issue price of ₹ 105. After a flat opening, the stock saw a sharp selloff which dragged it its 5 per cent lower circuit of ₹ 99.75. Around 11:10 AM, the stock was locked in its 5 per cent lower circuit. The stock's listing was below what the grey market was expecting. As per grey market sources, the stock was expected to list at ₹ 108. Renol Polychem supplies a diverse range of raw materials, including colour masterbatches, pigments, filler granules, anti-moisture powders, carbon noodles, superpack and onepack solutions, impact modifiers, processing aids, and titanium dioxide. Operating on a B2B model, the company serves industrial and commercial clients exclusively, providing essential inputs for the manufacturing of plastic products. The company specialises in manufacturing tailor-made masterbatches and pigment solutions designed to meet specific performance, colour, and application requirements of customers. Renol Polychem IPO opened for subscription on Thursday, July 31 and closed on Monday, August 4. The ₹ 25.77 crore SME IPO, which was a fresh issue of 24.54 lakh shares, was priced at ₹ 100-105 per share. Renol Polychem IPO was subscribed 6.83 times. The retail category was booked 6.51 times, while the non-institutional investor (NII) quota was subscribed 6.89 times. The qualified institutional buyer (QIB) segment was booked 8.41 times. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the IPO to fund capital expenditure for machinery purchases, meet working capital requirements, repay some borrowings, and for general corporate purposes. Read all IPO-related news here Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations expressed are those of individual analysts or broking firms, not Mint. We advise investors to consult with certified experts before making any investment decisions, as market conditions can change rapidly and circumstances may vary.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
UCLA in talks with Trump admin to reinstate $584 million in grants
By Maxwell Adler and Liam Knox The University of California at Los Angeles said it has entered into negotiations with the Trump administration to reinstate about $584 million in frozen federal research funding. The move came after the US Justice Department had given the school a Tuesday deadline to enter into a resolution agreement after a US investigation found UCLA violated federal civil rights laws by failing to stop antisemitic harassment on campus. 'Our immediate goal is to see the $584 million in suspended and at-risk federal funding restored to the university as soon as possible,' James Milliken, president of the UC system, said in a statement Wednesday. The amount of frozen funding cited by Milliken was considerably higher than a $200 million estimate by California Governor Gavin Newsom last week. The freeze is affecting hundreds of grants from agencies including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. The DOJ said last week that UCLA acted with 'deliberate indifference' to alleged targeting of Jewish and Israeli students after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack and Israel's subsequent invasion of Gaza. It had threatened to file a complaint in federal district court by Sept. 2 unless the school agreed to enter into talks. UCLA became a flashpoint in spring 2024 as campus protests escalated nationwide over Israel's war against Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist group by the US and the European Union. In addition to widespread allegations of anti-Jewish bigotry at the California school, at least 15 people were injured on campus in April of last year when pro-Israel counter-demonstrators attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment by launching fireworks and swinging metal rods. President Donald Trump's administration has seized on campus unrest over the war in Gaza to step up civil-rights enforcement at universities across the US. While the administration's efforts have focused largely on some of the nation's most elite private universities — including Harvard, Cornell and Northwestern — they have also extended to the public sphere, with the 10-campus University of California system, including Berkeley, facing heightened scrutiny. Two Ivy League universities, Columbia and Brown, reached agreements with the White House in July after Trump froze hundreds of millions in federal research grants at the schools. At UCLA, Chancellor Julio Frenk said the university was receiving counsel to 'actively evaluate our best course of action.' 'We are doing everything we can to protect the interests of faculty, students and staff — and to defend our values and principles,' Frenk wrote in a letter to students Wednesday. 'Death Knell' In his statement disclosing the talks with the federal government, Milliken, who assumed his role overseeing the state system on Aug. 1, assailed the cuts, saying they 'do nothing' to address antisemitism. 'The announced cuts would be a death knell for innovative work that saves lives, grows our economy, and fortifies our national security,' he said. Michael Chwe, a political science professor who sits on the board of the UCLA Faculty Association, said the impact of the freezes are already being felt, especially in medical and engineering departments. 'My colleagues who operate labs funded by NIH and NSF grants are saying they were told to stop work immediately last week,' Chwe said. If UCLA entered into negotiations with the government like many Ivy League colleges, Chwe said, it would be 'an absolute disaster.' He said he hopes that the university's position is strengthened by support from the California state government — and Newsom, a Democrat who has positioned himself as an active antagonist to Trump. For some researchers at the university, the disaster is already here. Carrie Bearden, a clinical psychology professor, said the grant funding her lab's work studying risk factors for severe adolescent mental illness was suspended. She doesn't support a deal with the White House but said that for her staff whose jobs are dependent on that money the freeze was an 'immediate crisis.' She said she stayed up until 2 a.m. on Tuesday looking for alternative funds. 'We don't have time to see what the administration will do,' she said, referring to the White House. Last week Newsom called the UCLA freeze a 'cruel manipulation' of antisemitism claims, saying cutting critical funding for research 'makes our country less safe.' Columbia agreed in July to pay $221 million and to appoint an independent monitor who will review the school's compliance with federal laws in its hiring and admissions processes. Brown said it would pay $50 million over the next decade to support workforce development programs in its home state of Rhode Island, take steps to improve campus climate for Jewish students, and revise its policies on gender identity in line with new White House guidelines.
