In The News

Angst of a Stagnating Germany

Dominic Sachsenmaier July 5, 2005
In the midst of fierce debate concerning the future of the EU, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's call for a September election has opened a national discussion about the future of Germany. Since the unification of East and West Germany, the economy of the formerly prosperous welfare state has stagnated. Already high jobless rates are intensified by competition with low-wage foreign...

Brazilians Streaming into US Through Mexican Border

Larry Rohter June 30, 2005
After Mexicans themselves, Brazilians make up the largest proportion of migrants entering the US via the Mexican border. Taking advantage of Mexico's waiving of entrance visa requirements for Brazilians, those looking to enter the US for work and residence frequently sign up with a trafficking agency to transport them into America. Though Brazil's economy is flourishing, employment and...

Unlikely Hero in Europe's Spat: The 'Polish Plumber'

Elaine Sciolino June 27, 2005
Responding to the recent flood of bad publicity about the potential loss of French jobs to Polish immigrants, Poland has come up with a marketing plan to improve its reputation in France. Hiring a model to pose as a "Polish plumber" – a figure who has come to symbolize French labor concerns – in its advertisements, the Polish Tourism Bureau is attempting to assure the French that the...

Migration is Here to Stay, So Get Used to It

Brunson McKinley June 24, 2005
Commentator Brunson McKinley poses a lofty question: How can one manage migration for the benefit of all? According to a newly released report on world migration patterns, the costs and benefits vary among countries and individuals. As such, writes McKinley, wide-ranging, hard-and-fast rules are not appropriate. Migration management policies that are based on the characteristics of specific...

In Spite of Offshoring, US Students Can Still Engineer a Career

David Wessel June 20, 2005
A new report by McKinsey & Co. concludes that the nominal demand for engineering jobs in the US will not wane in the next few years in spite of the potential of offshoring. While there are more university-trained professionals in low-wage countries, many of them, according to the report, are unfit for the jobs demanded by foreign employers. Furthermore, it concludes that by the end of the...

Chinese Shoe Sales Strain EU Trade Ties

Tobias Buck June 9, 2005
China's shoe exports to Europe have increased nearly seven-fold since the beginning of January, when trade quotas limiting its textile and clothing output were abandoned. Low-priced and abundant, Chinese-manufactured footwear has skyrocketed in market share, panicking European shoemakers who fear that their jobs and sales are threatened. Many are calling on Brussels to adopt anti-dumping...

Why the Globalization Fund is a Bad Idea

Arnaldo Abruzzini June 3, 2005
The European Commission plans a Globalization Adjustment Fund, hoping that money and a united front can prepare displaced workers for new and better jobs. But this author suggests that the fund sends the wrong signal, that globalization represents more danger than opportunity. By subsidizing jobs, the fund could offer short-term palliatives but not long-term economic reforms sorely needed in many...