IWS Documented News INTERNATIONAL

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC)

EMCC Case Studies

Report Managing restructuring: the Vermondoise Group of sugar refineries

Managing large-scale restructuring: the Vermandoise Group of sugar refineries [31 August 2006]
http://www.emcc.eurofound.eu.int/publications/2006/ef0548enC9.pdf
[full-text, 21 pages]

This case study of the Vermondoise Group of sugar refineries outlines the context and details of the closure of its Beauchamps refinery in northern France, including actions taken at local, regional and national level.

Introduction
Company profile and context
Outcome of Beauchamps closure
The restructuring process
Lessons learnt and outlook
List of interviewees
Sources
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 8:13 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
Investigation No. NAFTA-103-14
Publication 3881
August 2006


Probable Effect of Certain Modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin [30 August 2006]
http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/103/pub3881.pdf
[full-text, 163 pages]

Abstract
The U.S. International Trade Commission's (Commission) advice on the probable effect of
certain proposed modifications to the rules of origin contained in the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is based on an assessment of whether a proposed rule
modification would likely increase or decrease trade flows of U.S. products in the NAFTA
markets as a result of preferential market access, and the resulting effect on total U.S.
imports, exports, and production.

In preparing its advice, the Commission assessed each specific proposed modification to
determine the probable effect on U.S. trade and on U.S. industries. The Commission
reviewed 113 proposed rule modifications for 38 product groups and found that 35
modifications were "formatting only" changes that would not substantively change the
application of the rules of origin. Accordingly, the Commission concluded that these
proposed rule modifications would likely have no effect on U.S. trade and production. The
Commission also found that 78 proposed modifications are substantive in nature; however,
the Commission found that the probable economic effect for 77 of these proposed
modifications would be negligible, while one, certain fish oils, would result in a significant
effect on U.S. production and a substantial effect on U.S. imports.

CONTENTS
Page
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Chapter 2: NAFTA Rules of Origin Probable Effect Analysis . .  2-1
Chapter 3: Advice on the Probable Effect of Certain Proposed Modifications to the Rules of Origin Contained in the North American Free Trade
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Fish and crustaceans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Herbs and spices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Marjoram, savory and cilantro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Allspice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Thyme; bay leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Celery seeds, basil, rosemary and sage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Fish oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Food preparations, e.g., flavoring mixes, soups, sauces, and finished meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Oils, petroleum products and bitumen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Aluminum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Diesel engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Other gas turbines and parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Parts for electric motors and generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Electric transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Primary cells and batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Electrical apparatus for line telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Turntables, record players, cassette players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Transmission apparatus for radio telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Radar apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
Reception apparatus for radio telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52
Televisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53
Electric sound or visual signaling apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59
Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61
Thermionic, cold cathode or photocathode tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-62
Electrical machines and apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-63
Insulator conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-68
Rail locomotives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-69
Truck assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-70
Locomotive parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-71
Electrocardiographs, and parts and accessories, thereof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-72
Medical appliances and apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-74
Hydrometers and similar floating instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-75
Other instruments and apparatus for physical or chemical analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-77
Automatic regulating or controlling instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-79
Time switches with clock or watch movement or with synchronous motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-80
Lighters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-82
De Minimis for goods of section VI, products of the chemical or allied industries
(Chapters 28-38) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-83
Appendices
A. Request letter from the USTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
B. Federal Register notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
C. Organizations contacted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
D. Positions of interested parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
E. Compilation of applicable NAFTA tariff rates and NTR tariff rates for the
United States, Canada, and Mexico, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 7:19 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

ILO
Produced for
Fourteenth Asian Regional Meeting, Busan, Republic of Korea, 29 August - 1 September 2006
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/rgmeet/asia.htm

Asia Youth Employment

Decent Jobs for the "Millennium Generation" -- VIDEO 5:44 minutes [30 August 2006]
http://audio.ilo.org/ramgen/ilo/dcomm/english/asian_meeting/asia_youthemp.rmvb?usehostname

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 6:45 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

For Information and further distribution to potential applicants

Global Labour University (GLU) Network
Master Courses in 'Labour Policies and Globalisation' & 'Labour and Development, Economic Policy, Globalisation and Labour'
http://www.global-labour-university.org/

Dear colleagues,

Within the Global Labour University network, a cooperation between  the International Labour Movement, academic institutions, foundations and the ILO  two   Master programmes on Labour  and Globalization for trade unionists are offered in 2007. The duration of the programmes is one year.

The �Labour and Development� programme starts in January 2007  and is offered by the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. 

The University of Kassel and the Berlin School of Economics in Germany are offering  a course on �Labour Policies and Globalization� that starts in September 2007.

The programmes are targeting (potential)  trade union experts. Interested trade unionists should now apply. Please find attached an information leaflet about next years programmes. The deadline for submission is 1st of October 2006  for South Africa and  1st of March 2007 for Germany. The courses are  taught in English.  More detailed information and the application form are available on the Internet http://www.global-labour-university.org.

The Bureau for Workers� Activities and its project partners will award a limited number of scholarships to applicants from developing and transition economies. Applicants need to have the endorsement of a trade union to apply for a scholarship. The grant is conditional on a contribution of 1500 Euro from the supporting trade union or another donor.

        Please note that women are strongly encouraged to participate and strict gender criteria will be applied in awarding places and scholarships.

Best regards


Frank Hoffer
ILO ACTRAV
Tel   0041 22 799 8937
Fax  0041 22 799 6570
Visit our Website
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/actrav/

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 10:22 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS) - (UK)


THIRD SECTOR PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT-RELATED SERVICES
A report for the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
Steve Davies, Senior Research Fellow. Cardiff School of Social Sciences
June 2006
http://www.pcs.org.uk/Shared_ASP_Files/UploadedFiles/5C8650AB-E285-40DB-8F40-D3753C93CBDB_ThirdSectorreportFINALr.doc
[full-text, 58 pages]


[excerpt from Foreword by Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, Public & Commercial Services Union]

In response to the proposals made in the DWP Green paper, PCS commissioned Steve Davies of Cardiff University to examine them in detail, with particular attention being paid to the nature of the third sector, its key promoters and the claims they make for the superiority of non-state over state provision of employment services.

The report shows that most of the claims made for the third sector are open to question.

Even the term “third sector” itself seems to be a questionable one. The leading organisation lobbying for contracting out employment services ­ the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) - is composed of profit- seeking businesses, long-established charities, hybrid government/charity organisations and non-profit making organisations who aim to increase their “market share” of public contracts.

Some seem to have maintained a local focus and close relationships with users, but this is far from being the rule. Only a few of the voluntary sector organisations were found in the report to have clear structures for involving users of the services, while private companies are, naturally, structured around delivering profits.

In some cases, the founders of these companies derive very substantial benefits. For example, the report identifies the highest paid director of WTCS Ltd (formerly Westcountry Training and Consultancy Service) as receiving over £580,000, while the sole shareholder Dr Sarah Burnett  also received £100,000 in dividends. Emma Harrison of A4E (formerly Action for Employment) collected over £1.1 million in dividends alone in 2005. But even amongst the non-commercial organisations, salaries of some senior officials are rising to over £100,000 p.a.

This alone suggests that any connection these organisations may once have had with users of the services they provide is being diminished as the economic situation of those in charge diverges more and more from that of their clients. The report also highlights how the third sector displays less diversity amongst its staff than the civil service it is replacing ­ particularly amongst senior management.

Finally, Steve Davies examines carefully the claims made (largely by ERSA and ACEVO) that independent providers do better than existing statutory ones. He concludes: “whenever Jobcentre Plus staff have been allowed the same flexibilities and funding as private sector companies or charitable organisations they have been able to compete with, if not surpass, the performance of contractors.”

AND  MUCH MORE....

CONTENTS
Executive Summary       6
1. Introduction 8
2. The Government’s proposals   9
Background      9
Mixed objectives        10
3. What is the Third Sector?    11
Definitions and coverage        11
Funding and finances    12
Concentration   12
Government funding for the third sector 13
Table 1: Sources of government funding for third sector organisations 2001-02   13
Employees       14
Table 2: UK employment by sector 1995-2004 (headcount, thousands)       14
4. Third sector providers in employment services        16
Employment services provision and the ERSA      16
Table 3: ERSA Board Members     17
The organisations       18
Table 4: Organisation type      18
The charities   20
The private sector      21
Public-Private and public       21
Aims and objectives     22
5. Third sector in employment services ­ behind the hype        24
For-profit private companies among the non-profit providers     24
Capacity and coverage   25
Small, community-focussed organisations?        27
Pay for Chief Executives and senior officers    28
Table 5: Chief Executive/senior officer remuneration    28
Staffing        33
Table 6: Number of employees in selected employment service providers   33
Trust, the third sector and the state   34
User and community focus        37
Involving the users     37
Diversity       39
Transparency    41
6. Third sector performance in employment services: an examination of the evidence      42
Employment Zones        42
Table 7: Single Provider Employment Zones       42
Table 8: Multiple Provider Employment Zones     43
Action Teams for Jobs   45
New Deal for Disabled People    47
ERSA/ACEVO’s additional evidence in support of contracting out  49
7. Conclusion   51
References      52

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 9:11 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Energy Information Administration (EIA)

CHINA [Energy Overview & Profile] [24 August 2006]
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/China/Background.html
or
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/China/pdf.pdf
[full-text, 17 pages]

[excerpt]
China is the world's most populous country and has a rapidly growing economy. China�s real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown at 9.9 percent in 2005, down slightly from the 2004 rate of 10.1 percent. Economic forecasts remain strong for China, with real GDP expected to increase 9.9 percent in 2006. Inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) into China totaled $86.1 billion in 2005, a new record and roughly double the level of 2001. China�s merchandise trade surplus soared to $102 billion in 2005, its largest surplus ever and roughly three times larger than the 2004 figure.

Together with strong economic growth, China�s demand for energy is surging rapidly. EIA forecasts that China�s oil consumption will increase by almost half a million barrels per day in 2006, or 38 percent of the total growth in world oil demand. China is the world�s third-largest net importer of oil behind the United States and Japan, an important factor in world oil markets.

Economic development has proceeded unevenly in China, with urban coastal areas experiencing more rapid economic development than in other parts of the country. As strong growth continues unabated, the Chinese government has taken measures to cool the economy. In August 2006, the central bank raised interest rates by 0.27 percent to bring lending rates to 6.12 percent, the second rate increase in four months. The central bank also raised the reserve requirement for commercial banks by 0.5 percent in June and July 2006, bringing the requirement to 8.5 percent. These moves serve to take money out of the money supply to help ward off possible economic overheating.

Breaking with previous policy, China delinked its currency, the renmimbi, from the U.S. dollar in July 2005, resulting in an initial devaluation of 2.1 percent. The renminbi now floats within a very narrow 0.3 percent band against a basket of currencies from the country's major trading partners. Since the devaluation, the renminbi has remained well within the narrow band and has appreciated about 1.4 percent against the U.S. dollar as of mid-July 2006.

With China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2001, the Chinese government made a number of specific commitments to trade and investment liberalization which, if fully implemented, will substantially open the Chinese economy to foreign firms.  In the energy sector, this will mean the lifting or sharp reduction of tariffs associated with imports of some classes of capital goods, and the eventual opening to foreign competition of some areas such as retail sales of petroleum products. 

AND MUCH MORE...including MAP, TABLES, CHARTS, LINKS....
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 6:04 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

ILO Bangkok
Publications in Asia and the Pacific region


DISABLED WORKERS
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/pub2.htm


Proceedings of the Expert Group Meeting on Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Vocational Training, 14-16 February 2006, Bangkok, Thailand.
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
vi, 76 p.
Print version: ISBN 92-2-118780-2 987-92-2-118780-6
Web version: ISBN 92-2-118781-0 978-92-2-118781-3
Read Online -
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-15.pdf
[full-text, 84 pages]


[Thanks to Chanitda Wiwatchanon, Regional Librarian, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific for the information above].
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 6:35 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

ILO Bangkok
Publications in Asia and the Pacific region


CHILD LABOUR
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/pub1.htm


Empowerment for children, youth and families: 3-R trainers' kit on rights, responsibilities and representation
by Busakorn Suriyasarn, Rosalinda Terhorst and Nelien Haspels
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
ISBN 92-2-117849-8 (Print version)
ISBN 92-2-117850-1 (Web version)
ISBN 92-2-117851-X (CD-ROM version)
Read Online at
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/pub4d.htm


Child domestic labour in South East and East Asia: emerging good practices to combat it
by Ayaka Matsuno and Jonathan Blagbrough
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
xv, 154 p.
ISBN 92-2-188366-1 & 978-92-2-118366-2 (Print version)
ISBN 92-2-118367-X & 978-92-2-118367-9 (Web version)
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/child/trafficking/downloads/cdw.pdf
[full-text, 172 pages]


Survey report: child domestic workers in Ho Chi Minh city
Hanoi: ILO, 2006
76 p.
ISBN 978-92-2-118911-4
Read Online  at
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-09.pdf
[full-text, 75 pages]


[Thanks to Chanitda Wiwatchanon, Regional Librarian, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific for the information above].

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 6:26 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

ILO Bangkok
Publications in Asia and the Pacific region


HUMAN TRAFFICKING
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/pub16.htm


Combating child trafficking in Asia: information package
by ILO Regional Project on Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitation (TICSA-II)
Bangkok: ILO, 2006

 Asia
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/ticsa1.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]

 Bangladesh
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/ticsa2.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]

 Indonesia
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/ticsa3.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]

 Nepal
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/ticsa4.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]

 Pakistan
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/ticsa5.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]

 Sri Lanka
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/ticsa6.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]

 Thailand
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/ticsa7.pdf
[full-text, 4 pages]


   A demand side of human trafficking in Asia: empirical findings
by ILO Regional Project on Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitation (TICSA-II)
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
vi, 120 p.
ISBN 92-2-118448-X & 978-92-2-118448-5 (Print version)
ISBN 92-2-118449-8 & 978-92-2-118449-2 (Web version) 
Read Online
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-01.pdf
[full-text, 120 pages]


   Anti-child trafficking legislation in Asia: a six-country review
by ILO Regional Project on Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitation (TICSA-II)
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
vi, 128 p.
ISBN 92-2-118448-X & 978-92-2-118448-5 (Print version)
ISBN 92-2-118449-8 & 978-92-2-118449-2 (Web version) 
Read Online - Summary sheet
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-03s.pdf
[full-text, 2 pages]
Read Online - Full report
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-03.pdf
[full-text, 128 pages]


   Child-friendly standards & guidelines for the recovery and integration of trafficked children
by ILO Regional Project on Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitation (TICSA-II)
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
68 p.
ISBN 92-2-118456-0 & 978-92-2-118456-0 (Print version)
ISBN 92-2-118457-9 & 978-92-2-118457-7 (Web version)  
Read Online - Summary sheet
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-04s.pdf
[full-text, 2 pages]
Read Online - Full report
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-04.pdf
[full-text, 68 pages]


   Rehabilitation of the victims of child trafficking: a multidisciplinary approach
by ILO Regional Project on Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitation (TICSA-II)
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
v, 48 p.
ISBN 92-2-118450-1 & 978-92-2-118450-8 (Print version)
ISBN 92-2-118451-X & 978-92-2-118451-5 (Web version)  
Read Online - Summary sheet
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-05s.pdf
[full-text, 2 pages]
Read Online - Full report
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-05.pdf
[full-text, 48 pages]


   Good practices in Asia: prevention and rehabilitation
by ILO Regional Project on Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitation (TICSA-II)
Bangkok: ILO, 2006
vi, 92 p.
ISBN 92-2-118464-1 & 978-92-2-118464-5 (Print version)
ISBN 92-2-118465-X & 978-92-2-118465-2 (Web version)  
Read Online -
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/bangkok/library/download/pub06-06.pdf
[full-text, 92 pages]


[Thanks to Chanitda Wiwatchanon, Regional Librarian, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific for the information above].

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 6:22 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin Foundation)

Long-distance mobility in Europe: Getting the balance right [22 August 2006]
http://www.eurofound.eu.int//publications/htmlfiles/ef0636.htm
or
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/pubdocs/2006/36/en/1/ef0636en.pdf
[full-text, 8 pages]

Author:
Foundation

Summary:
Europe is dealing with the growing challenges of globalisation, rapid technological change and a developing knowledge society; maintaining employment and social cohesion is a further challenge. The Lisbon agenda seeks to meet these challenges by making Europe a more competitive, flexible and adaptable economy. Greater labour mobility between regions and between jobs is a crucial element in this.

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 9:02 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: Please send the following to others who might benefit.
***********************************************************************

The Cornell University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) invites you to our State-of-the-Science Conference on:

THE FUTURE OF DISABILITY STATISTICS: WHAT WE KNOW AND NEED TO KNOW

  Thursday and Friday, October 5 and 6, 2006
  Doubletree Hotel/Crystal City, Arlington VA

Register before September 1 to take advantage of a reduced registration fee.

See the updated agenda and registration and accommodation information at:

  http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/srrtc-2006conference.cfm

This two-day conference will (a) cover current statistic on the characteristics and status of working-age people with disabilities derived from current survey and administrative data and (b) explore options for improving future data collection and data distribution efforts.

Sign language interpreters and CART will be provided.

If you would like more information, please contact Anne Sieverding (acs5@cornell.edu, 607-255-9605).

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Houtenville, Ph.D.
StatsRRTC Director
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 10:21 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

Mercer (UK)

UK company health plans - potential minefield for discrimination claims
UK
London, 21 August 2006
http://www.mercerhr.com/pressrelease/details.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1238460

Companies could face costly age discrimination claims if they do not review their health and benefit plans soon, warns Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Age discrimination legislation comes into effect this October, and employers that provide benefits like private medical cover, income protection and life insurance could be taken to an employment tribunal if they continue to use age-related rules in their policies.

The Government has not issued any guidance to help companies ensure their health benefits are compliant with the new rules, so employers will have to assess their plans thoroughly and look for potential 'black spots'. Where age-related rules apply, they will have to be able to justify why they are included in their policies.

John Matthews, Principal at Mercer, commented: "The Government has been extremely unhelpful and left employers in the dark about how their health and benefit plans could contravene new age discrimination regulations. There are numerous areas where companies could trip up - the only way they can stave off potential claims is by conducting a thorough review of their benefit plans."

Companies with flexible benefit arrangements are particularly at risk. Through these arrangements they tend to charge employees for benefits based on their age, or use some form of age banding. For example, a 20 year-old will typically pay much less for life insurance through a flexible benefits scheme than, say, a 50 year-old. This may prove to be problematic under the new regulations.

Income protection is another area where employers could be in danger of breaking the rules because it tends to be linked to pension scheme membership, which is frequently restricted by age. While certain aspects of pension scheme arrangements are exempt from age discrimination rules, income protection plans are not. Therefore, companies may face claims if they refuse to provide income protection to employees because they are too young to join the occupational pension scheme.

"Companies need to anticipate what employment tribunals will consider to be discriminatory and look for potential trouble spots in their benefit provision. They may then need to adapt their policies or take out additional cover to protect themselves," said Mr Matthews. "Though it may be expensive for employers to take action to ensure their health plans are compliant, it will be far less costly than a string of damaging discrimination claims."
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 7:58 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

The Work Foundation
Provocation Series Volume 2 Number 2

Paradigm Trades: The iconic jobs of the early 21st century [21 August 2006]
Stephen Overell
http://83.138.136.179/Assets/PDFs/paradigm%20_trades1.pdf
[full-text, 38 pages]

Press Release
Hairdressers, celebrities, managers, consultants: paper unveils the 'iconic' jobs of the 21st century [21 August 2006]
http://83.138.136.179/aboutus/media/pressreleases/paradigmtradespress.aspx

Definition: "A paradigm trade is an occupation or line of work that embodies the psychological
themes that define an age"

In the America of fifty years ago, the battle of the workplace archetypes was declared open. What were the occupations and forms of work that somehow seemed to carry the spirit of the times within them? Which were the industries that defined the identity of America in the middle of the twentieth century? What job captured the temper of the age?

Anyone hoping to find the archetypal workers of the early 21st century should look no further than the ranks of hairdressers, management consultants, celebrities and managers.

Contents
Introduction 3
Back to the future of work 7
Paradigm Trades 13
Hairdressers (and other bodily improvers) 13
Management consultants 18
Celebrities 24
Managers 29
Endnote 36

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 5:55 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin Foundation)

Employment guidance services for people with disabilities [14 August 2006]
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/publications/htmlfiles/ef0633.htm
or
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/pubdocs/2006/33/en/1/ef0633en.pdf
[full-text, 64 pages]

Author:
Wynne, Richard; McAnaney, Donal; O'Kelly, Caroline; Fleming, Padraic

Summary:
The number of people on long-term disability benefits in Europe is rising and this group is particularly at risk of social exclusion. Although many of those away from work for a long period due to illness or injury would like to rejoin the workforce, very few actually do so in practice. This situation means that potential workers are absent from the labour market and there is pressure on social security systems. One of the key strategies for reversing this trend and helping long-term benefit claimants to return to work is a system of effective employment guidance and counselling services. By looking at case studies in 10 Member States, this report identifies examples of good practice in employment services for people who have become disability claimants in the course of their working lives. It concludes that there is overall a lack of awareness of the specific needs of people on longterm disability benefits and a need for a wider range of initiatives specially targeted at this group.

Contents
Foreword v
Introduction 1
1 ­ Statistical overview 5
2 ­ Comparative framework for services 15
3 ­ Current practice in selected EU Member States 21
4 ­ Conclusions 29
References 35
Appendix 1: Template used in the case studies 37
Appendix 2: List of case studies 40
Appendix 3: Summaries of case studies 41
Appendix 4: National statistical offices online 51

______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 5:38 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

European Working Conditions Observatory (EWCO)

Measuring job satisfaction in surveys - Comparative analytical report [10 August 2006]
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/ewco/reports/TN0608TR01/TN0608TR01.htm
[see individual country reports at above URL and the questionnaire]
and
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/ewco/reports/TN0608TR01/TN0608TR01.pdf
[full-text, 30 pages]


This report provides a comparative overview of how job satisfaction is measured in national working conditions surveys, based on 16 national contributions to a questionnaire . It investigates conceptual and methodological issues in the study of job satisfaction. The report then examines survey results on levels of general or overall job satisfaction among workers, as well as identifying the relationship between specific factors relating to work and job satisfaction. The national contributions from the following 16 countries are available (as PDF files): Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Jorge Cabrita and Heloisa Perista (CESIS, Portugal) coordinated the preparation of this comparative analytical report.

Contents
Importance of job satisfaction
Objectives of report
Information sources
Policy context
Concept of job satisfaction
Data and trends at international and EU level
Measuring job satisfaction in Europe
Job satisfaction and job autonomy
Job satisfaction and working time/work-life balance
Job satisfaction and worker participation
Research on job satisfaction
Commentary
List of acronyms
References
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 5:32 AM

IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________

ILO
Conditions of Work and Employment Programme,
Social Protection Sector.


Conditions of Work and Employment Series No.16
Wage fixing in the informal economy: Evidence from Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa (2006),
 by Catherine Saget
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/condtrav/publ/16cwe.htm
or
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/condtrav/pdf/16cws.pdf
[full-text, 99 pages]


There is little information on working conditions in general and wage fixing in particular in the informal economy. It is often assumed that informal wages are fixed according to the law of the demand and supply of labour. It is also stated that income from participation in the informal economy is a major source of income for poor people. However, how wages are actually fixed at the concrete level of the informal employer remains a kind of black hole.

Based on data analysis and surveys of firms in Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa, this paper shows that wage fixing in the informal economy is a much more complex and elaborated process than often thought. In particular, the provision of a number of diversified allowances and benefits, as well as at least in some countries the reference to the minimum wage, are common.

The paper also provides information on working hours in informal firms, which are found to be very long in India and Indonesia, and much less in the other two countries. In a number of cases, no rest day is allowed.

Finally, the paper concludes that labour laws can, to a certain extent, reach the informal economy, providing that they are formulated in a simple and realistic way and adapted to the social and economic realities of countries.


List of tables
Page

Table 1: Definition of formal and informal wage employment in four countries............................. 4
Table 2: Structure of employment in India in 1999-2000................................................................. 4
Table 3: Structure of employment in Brazil (percentage of total employment)................................ 5
Table 4: Structure of employment in Indonesia................................................................................ 5
Table 5: Floor-level minimum wage in India.................................................................................... 10
Table 6: Main challenges of minimum wages systems with respect to the informal economy ........ 15
Table 7: The level of the minimum wage in 2004 (monthly levels, except daily for India) ............. 15
Table 8: Daily minimum wages in three occupations between 1 July 1999 and 30 June 2000 (National Sample Survey time; in rupees).............. 17
Table 9: Daily wages between 1 July 1999 and 30 June 2000 for casual workers (in rupees) ......... 17
Table 10: Percentage of casual workers at the minimum wage in 1999-2000.................................. 18
Table 11: Percentage of male casual workers in agriculture, construction, and hotels and restaurants at the minimum wage, 1999-2000................ 18
Table 12: Percentage of female workers in agriculture, construction, and hotel and restaurants at the minimum wage, 1999-2000................................. 19
Table 13: Median wages of male casual workers in agriculture and construction ........................... 20
Table 14: Median wages of female casual workers in agriculture and construction (rupees per day)......... 20
Table 15: Percentage of daily casual workers earning below the minimum wage they are entitled to.......................... 20
Table 16: Relation between the level of the minimum wage and its impact..................................... 20
Table 17: Monthly rates of minimum wage and median wages in Indonesia at the survey time (2004)................. 21
Table 18: Average wage in the six provinces.................................................................................... 21
Table 19: Percentage of wage workers at the minimum wage in six Indonesian provinces ............. 22
Table 20: Percentage of wage workers below the minimum wage in six Indonesian provinces ...... 22
Table 21: Percentage of wage workers below the minimum wage in the province of Bangka Belitung.................... 23
Table 22: Minimum wages for farm and domestic workers (March 2003)....................................... 23
Table 23: Percentage of workers earning the minimum wage.......................................................... 24
Table 24: Mean and median wages for domestic and farm workers (in Rand)................................. 24
Table 25: Percentage of workers earning less than the minimum wage they are entitled to ............. 25
Table 26: Summary statistics of monthly wages in Brazil in 2003 (in R$)....................................... 25
Table 27: Percentage of workers earning the minimum wage and below in 2003............................ 26
Table 28: Existing pay practices across different enterprises............................................................ 28
Table 29: Comparison of statutory minimum wages and actual wages (per day)............................. 32
Table 30: Pay practice in the surveyed firms.................................................................................... 36
Table 31: Working time in the surveyed firms.................................................................................. 38
Table 32: Type of enterprise and the number of regular and irregular workers................................ 39
Table 33: Enterprises and their wage rates........................................................................................ 42
Table 34: Wage-fixing factors........................................................................................................... 44
Table 35: Wage increase factors....................................................................................................... 45
Table 36: Wage practice in the firms surveyed................................................................................. 46
Table 37: Characteristics of the firms: Days of operation and working conditions.......................... 46
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

****************************************
Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
****************************************

# posted by SBasefsky : 12:05 PM