U.S. jobs continue to flow overseas (Lure of cheaper labor more irresistible than ever)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 10/06/2010 | Don Lee

[SeekAndFind]

Though some American firms are bringing overseas work back home, evidence is growing that companies are moving more jobs than ever to China and other countries — a trend that could exacerbate efforts to bring down the nation's stubbornly high unemployment rate.

One sign of increased offshoring is the rising number of applications for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance, which usually goes to factory workers who lost their jobs because their work was sent overseas or was undercut by cheaper imports.

For the six months that ended Sept. 30, workers at about 1,200 offices and plants nationwide were approved for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance. That's about 20% more approvals than in the same six-month period last year, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

In addition, the most recent Commerce Department data show that employment at the foreign subsidiaries and affiliates of U.S. multinational firms grew by 729,000 in two years, to 11.9 million in 2008 from 2006. Over that same period, domestic employment by such firms slipped by 500,000 jobs, to 21.1 million.

"The paradigm has shifted," said John Challenger, chief executive of outplacement and consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "Most companies see the next phase or era of growth as global.… That'll still create jobs here, just not on the scale when they were focusing on growth in the U.S."

That trend could further stall the recovery, which many economists believe will continue to lack vigor while unemployment remains at current levels — 9.6% nationally and 12.4% in California. The government is expected to report Friday that the economy added few if any jobs in September.

[Lurker]

We need to place a 10~15% tariff on all imported goods and materials.

Thereby increasing prices for American consumers by said 10-15% in the middle of the worst economic times since the Great Depression. You really need to stop getting your economic education from the back of cereal boxes, Willie.

L

[Lurker]

Considering that we don’t export much anyway,

We export over 1.7 trillion dollars in goods you pinhead.

L

[Lazamataz]

Considering that we don’t export much anyway, it is a trade war that we would win.

Are you gunnin' for A+Bert's position?

American export value peaked in early 2007 at just under $340 billion quarterly. What America does produce is capital goods. Engines, boilers and factory components. High-value products that are used by developing countries to make lower-value things. America gets 40% of its export revenue here.

[Lazamataz]

Second the pinhead remark.

Willie, it's too early to be this drunk.

[Willie Green]

Nobody cares what you gender confused buttboys think.

[Lazamataz]

Stop swigging beer and trying to sink us deeper into Depression, A+WillieGreen.

[Lazamataz]

You’re demonstrably wrong on every single thing you’ve posted on this thread, so you think insulting me will change how wrong you are, A+WillieGreen?

[Lurker]

That 1.7 trillion in exports comes out to over $4,700 worth of goods for every man, woman, and child in America. And Willieboy that isn't what I "think", that's what I know.

I posted a source refuting your boneheaded statement that we don't 'export much' anymore.

Willie would have us reduce that number by only God knows how much with his idiotic tarrif war.

L

[Willie Green]

A+Bert was a better man than you, girly-boy.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Since Willie retired from the railroad, drinking is all he does.

[familyop]

"Example: I can buy a completely made up, ready to install cabinet system for my garage made in China cheaper than I can buy the materials to make it myself due to Environmental fee’s the producers, manufacturers, and distributors of the products I need are required to pay, and pass on to us all in the costs of the product."

And the environmentalists are whose family members, employees, former employees,...? Their backgrounds have been researched by others who attended commissioners' meetings. That's no way to compete in business. For example, it's not right for an international lumber business to use its phony environmentalist hags to shut small mills down (happened long ago), and local zoning "laws" against new, small manufacturing businesses on large acreages in the middle nowhere are tools of corruption by the morally bankrupt (those who will not compete honestly).