In The News

US Labor Is in Retreat as Global Forces Squeeze Pay and Benefits

David Streitfeld October 19, 2005
This week, union workers at Delphi Corp. and General Motors will take drastic cuts in their pay and benefits. While the United States may be enjoying an economic recovery, workers in the auto industry and across the nation are contemplating lower wages just to keep their jobs. At the same time, they face a cost of living that has been rising faster than wage increases. But American workers may...

Cracks in the Social Net

Alexander Osang October 13, 2005
“We left that city like the colonial powers left Africa,” lamented the ex-head of personnel at what was one of the largest textile mills in North Carolina. In 2003, the Pillowtex plant, based in the city of Kannapolis, closed and laid off its five thousand workers overnight. In a region where unionization was militantly discouraged, the mill provided an entire framework of life for the community...

Turkey and the European Tent – Part I

Shada Islam October 11, 2005
Despite a tentative start, the EU entry negotiations for Turkey are a momentous event for the continent. In a two-part series, YaleGlobal examines the ramifications of the Turkey-EU negotiations. In the first installment, journalist Shada Islam explores the positive potential of the talks for both parties. For Turkey, the process will encourage further economic development, as well as greater...

Don't Tell Anybody It's Africa Calling

Nayan Chanda October 4, 2005
Six hundred years ago, France exported slaves from what is today Senegal. Now, the West African country imports jobs from its former colonial master – causing panic in France, but bringing hope to workers at home, writes YaleGlobal editor Nayan Chanda. More and more French call center companies now outsource to Senegal, where they can conduct business at a fraction of European operating costs....

Workers' Protest Spurs Arab Emirates to Act

Hassan M. Fattah September 25, 2005
More than half of Dubai's one million people are poor immigrants from South Asia and the Philippines. Eight hundred of those residents, dissatisfied workers who have not been paid in five months, recently marched on the emirate's Ministry of Labor. It was a rare show of labor unrest in a city-state that tolerates much in the name of business and little in the way of dissent. Even more...

Muslim Malaysian Sailors Denied Jobs over Terror Fears

September 19, 2005
Though the years after the 9/11 attacks have already witnessed incidents of racial profiling against Muslims in the West, fears of terrorism are now making targets out of Muslims elsewhere in the world. The Malaysian Seafarers Association claimed recently that international shipping companies are not recruiting Muslim sailors and officers from Malaysia. Muslim Malays do not have last names, but...

Ford Looks Abroad for Half of Parts

Daniel Howes September 14, 2005
When auto executive Mark Fields takes his position at the head of Ford's North and South American operations next month, he will face losses of US$1 billion per quarter and corporate debt rated "junk." To spur the company's recovery, industry analysts have revealed that Ford will double the number of parts that it outsources to low-cost countries. According to Detroit News...