In The News

A Nation of Nations

September 8, 2004
Given the dual threats of aging workforces and decreasing populations, many countries face fierce competition in attracting international professionals. Singapore, according to this editorial in The Straits Times, must broaden its immigration policy to ensure a vibrant, globally competitive population. Even the US, traditionally an international talent magnet, has shown signs of complacency...

Most Transport Workers Yet to Unionize

Ridwan Max Sijabat September 2, 2004
In 1998, the Indonesian government ratified International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87, granting freedom of association to all workers and employers. Six years later, the majority of the republic's transportation employees have failed to effectively unionize. The keynote address at a recent International Transportation Federation (ITF) committee meeting revealed that while...

Commonwealth Ministers Move to End Teacher "Poaching"

Polly Curtis September 1, 2004
Friction between rich and poor Commonweath nations has increased amidst accusations of teacher "poaching." Representatives from thirty nations are meeting to discuss the international recruitment of educators. Many member nations have expressed frustration with the practice of developed countries recruiting teachers from those less developed. In several regions, the need is striking...

Volkswagen Risks Clash with Union

Anke Bryson August 27, 2004
Labor strife in Germany continues, as Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, proposed a plan to reduce personnel costs by US$2.4 billion dollars. The proposal, which includes among its provisions a two-year pay freeze for VW employees, has fanned the flames in an already heated environment. Earlier this summer, both Siemens and Daimler Chrysler, after turbulent negotiations, forged deals with...

Certified Globalization

Tim Bartley August 26, 2004
In recent years, certification – private regulation of corporate labor and environmental practices – has developed through complex interactions with and reactions to governments, NGOs, and corporations. Indiana University sociologist Tim Bartley traces this history and outlines the controversy surrounding the adoption of these standards. While critics view certification as thinly veiled...

Kuala Lumpur Cracking Down on Illegals – Again

Leslie Lau August 12, 2004
Malaysia, a nation of 24.5 million inhabitants, has over 1.3 million legal foreign workers and another 700,000 who are undocumented. Though these migrants generally have jobs that are low paying and unattractive to native Malaysians, public sentiment has turned against them, says this article in Singapore's Straits Times. Some Malaysian natives have begun to blame the country’s recent...

Germans Brace for Longer Workweek

Heidi Sylvester July 30, 2004
In June, German technology firm Siemens forced Germany’s powerful IG Metall trade Union into expanding work hours without compensation by threatening to move 2,000 jobs to Hungary. Since that time, Daimler Chrysler and Bosch have undertaken similar measures, and Volkswagen looks likely to do the same. German politicians have responded to changes in work schedules by calling for the increased...