IWS Documented News INTERNATIONAL: September 2007

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
________________________________________________________________________

Unites States International Trade Commission (USITC)
Publication 3949 September 2007

U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement: Potential Economy-wide and Selected Sectoral Effects [20 September 2007]
Investigation No. TA-2104-24
http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/2104F/pub3949.pdf
[full-text, 393 pages]

See in particular --

Chapter 6. Impact of regulatory Page

FTA Chapter 19Labor . .. . . . . . . 6-30
Assessment . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Summary of provisions . . . . . . . . 6-30
Views of interested parties . . . . . 6-33

______________________________
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 : 1:09 PM

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
________________________________________________________________________

Charting the U.S. Labor Market in 2006 [28 September 2007]
http://www.bls.gov/cps/labor2006/home.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/cps/labor2006/chartbook.pdf
[full-text, 70 pages]

This report, Charting the U.S. Labor Market in 2006, includes graphs and
text describing the U.S. labor market in 2006. Highlights include
information about educational attainment, race and Hispanic ethnicity,
women, and families.

These data were compiled from several statistical programs of the Bureau
of Labor Statistics and are presented together to give an overview of the
employment and unemployment situation for the nation that presents both
recent data and historical trends over time.

The chartbook is divided into sections by topic: Major Indicators,
Education, Employment Relationships, Race and Hispanic Ethnicity, Women,
and Families. Each chart can be downloaded individually. Note that this
chartbook is presented on this website in Adobe PDF format.

The report is also available in a single PDF file: Charting the U.S. Labor
Market in 2006 (400 KB, 70 printed pages)

______________________________
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 : 12:32 PM

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
________________________________________________________________________

OECD Statistics - beta release [25 September 2007]
http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx

Our objective is to provide a single online platform where you can
discover and use our statistical databases. For the first time, you will
be able to build tables and extract data from across databases as well as
access individual databases. Use Browse Themes or Search to find the
statistical datasets you need. Each database includes detailed metadata to
help you understand the numbers.

______________________________
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 : 12:09 PM

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 Bankok
ILO Recent Publications, No.2007/3.

International labour standards on migrant workers' rights: guide for policymakers and practitioners in Asia and the Pacific
by ILO Subregional Office for East Asia
Bangkok: ILO, 2007
viii, 89 p.
English version
ISBN 978-92-2-120246-2 (print version)
ISBN 978-92-2-120247-9 (web version)
ISBN 978-92-2-120248-6 (CD version)
http://www.ilo.org/asia/library/download/pub07-10.pdf

Also available in Cambodian, Laotian, and Thai.

This publication aspires to be a handy reference guide, explaining the rights from the
vantage point of the migrant worker to policymakers and practitioners.

ILO policy brief on youth employment in Cambodia
by ILO Subregional Office for East Asia
Bangkok: ILO, 2007
12 p.
English version
ISBN 978-92-2-120112-0 (Print version)
ISBN 978-92-2-120113-7 (Web version)
http://www.ilo.org/asia/library/download/pub07-08.pdf
Cambodian version
ISBN 978-92-2-820112-3 (Print version)
ISBN 978-92-2-820113-0 (Web version)
http://www.ilo.org/asia/library/download/pub07-09.pdf

Provides brief overview of youth employment in Cambodia, key challenges, National
Strategic Development Plan (2006-2010), ILO approaches and policy options.

Lao People's Democratic Republic, report to the Government on the actuarial valuation of the Social Security Fund
Jean-Claude Hennicot
Bangkok: ILO, 2007
xx, 86 p.
ISBN 978-92-2-118828-5 (Print version)
ISBN 978-92-2-118829-2 (Web version)
http://www.ilo.org/asia/library/download/pub07-11.pdf

This report presents a comprehensive review of the current financial status of the
scheme and an assessment of its long-term financial sustainability based on the
actuarial projection of future income, expenditure and reserves. It is hoped that the
findings and recommendations provided on scheme financing and design issues will
contribute to a better understanding and enhanced capacities of all stakeholders,
particularly the Social Security Organization, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, and
the Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in managing and administering the
scheme efficiently, with a view to ensure the fund's long-term sustainability and a
swift extension of its coverage to all provinces.

Report of independent final evaluation, ILO/Japan Regional Programme on Expansion of Employment Opportunities for Women (EEOW) Viet Nam chapter
by Nguyen Van Hung, Hoang Thuy Lan and Anne Richmond
Bangkok: ILO, 2007
72 p.
English version
ISBN 9789221200895 (Print version)
ISBN 9789221200901 (Web version)
http://www.ilo.org/asia/library/download/pub07-05.pdf
Vietnamese version
ISBN 9789228200898 (Print version)
ISBN 9789228200904 (Web version)
http://www.ilo.org/asia/library/download/pub07-06.pdf

This report presents the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the final
evaluation of the EEOW project in Viet Nam.

ILO AP Issues, August 2007
http://www.ilo.org/asia/download/apissues/issue07_02.pdf

The new August 2007 edition of Issues newsletter features the youth employment in
the Pacific, work and peace in Timor-Leste, former Afghan fighters reintegrate, and
Asians work excessive hours.

(Thanks to Chanitda Wiwatchanon, Regional Librarian, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific for the tip).

______________________________
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
________________________________________________________________________

European Parliament

European "blue card" to solve problem of aging population? [26 September 2007]
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/story_page/018-10568-267-09-39-902-20070921STO10548-2007-24-09-2007/default_en.htm

Immigrants may hold the answer

Europe is facing a demographic crisis. Forecasts show that by 2050 two
workers will have to support one retired person, compared with four
workers now. Could immigration be the answer? One suggestion is a
"European blue card system" - like the US green card - for skilled third
country workers. Two MEPs, dealing with immigration, tell us what they
think.

Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini says the EU must learn to
compete with the US, which attracts most of the mobile skilled labour in
the world. He therefore proposes the "blue card", a specialised residence
permit for skilled third-country workers, which would ensure equal
treatment at work. It would allow them to live and work in a given EU
member state for an initial, renewable, period of two years, after which
they could work in another EU country. "We have to look at immigration as
an enrichment and as an inescapable phenomenon of today's world not as a
threat".

Most skilled migrants go to US

The aim is to tackle Europe's looming demographic crisis by attracting
some 20 million extra workers from abroad. "The challenge is to attract
the workers needed to fill specific gaps," said Frattini. He said that 85%
of unskilled labour goes to EU and 5% to the US, whereas 55% of skilled
labour goes to the US and only 5% to the EU.

Italian Socialist Lilli Gruber and Spanish Socialist Javier Moreno Sanchez
are reporting to the House on legal and illegal immigration respectively,
so we asked their opinion on a European blue card system.

"A step in the right direction"

"This is a first step in the right direction - even if it's timid." said
Ms Gruber. "Apart from the 'préférence communautaire' applied in large
sectors of our economic policies, there's no question that a real demand
exists for specific skills, varying from one country to another, which
can't be met inside the EU. In those cases, it's fair to open our doors."

However, she also said care must be taken "not to drain away the reservoir
of skills that countries need, without offering anything in exchange. To
fight illegal immigration - apart from its criminal phenomena - we need to
open and define legal ways to enter the EU, but also increase our forces
to stimulate the growing democracy and economy of those countries."

Mr Moreno Sanchez supports "measures that favour legal channels of
immigration to the EU, fundamental to curb clandestine immigration and to
fight against networks of human trafficking." He also stresses the
importance of "the external dimension of a European migration policy."

"This is only an initial step, focused on qualified workers and it will be
necessary to continue to work on the establishment of a common status for
the rest of immigrant workers, whom we need as much from the demographic
point of view as from the economic one", he added.
______________________________
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 : 5:10 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
________________________________________________________________________

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS OF MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY AND UNIT LABOR COST TRENDS 2006 [27 September 2007]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/prod4.nr0.htm
or
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/prod4.pdf
[full-text, 16 pages]

Manufacturing labor productivity increased in 2006 in 15 of the 16
economies compared by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics. (See chart 1.) The Republic of Korea and Taiwan had the
largest productivity increases (+10.8 and +6.9 percent, respectively).
The U.S. productivity increase of 2.4 percent placed it eleventh among
the 16 economies compared, and was less than the average annual growth
rate since 2000. Canada was the only country with no productivity
growth.

Over the 2000-2006 period, in the 16 economies studied, only Korea,
Sweden, and Taiwan had greater productivity growth than the United
States.

The data presented for the United States differ from those appearing
in BLS Productivity and Costs news releases. (See technical notes.)
Average annual growth rates for selected measures are shown in tables A
and B.

AND MUCH MORE...including TABLES & CHARTS....

______________________________
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 : 7:43 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
________________________________________________________________________

World Bank

DOING BUSINESS 2008: Comparing Regulation in 178 Economies [26 September 2007]
http://www.doingbusiness.org/
[see pull-down menu(s) upper right corner]

To get FULL DATA go to
http://www.doingbusiness.org/CustomQuery/

Doing Business 2008 ranks 178 economies on the ease of doing business. The top 25, in order, are Singapore, New Zealand, the United States, Hong Kong (China), Denmark, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Iceland, Norway, Japan, Finland, Sweden, Thailand, Switzerland, Estonia, Georgia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Latvia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Austria.

The rankings are based on 10 indicators of business regulation that track the time and cost to meet government requirements in business start-up, operation, trade, taxation, and closure. The rankings do not reflect such areas as macroeconomic policy, quality of infrastructure, currency volatility, investor perceptions, or crime rates. Since 2003 Doing Business has inspired or informed more than 113 reforms around the world.

Overview
http://www.doingbusiness.org/documents/DB-2008-overview.pdf
[full-text, 9 pages]

Press Release 26 September 2007
Doing Business 2008: Large Emerging Markets Reforming Fast; Egypt the Top Reformer, Eastern Europe Overtakes East Asia on Ease of Doing Business
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21485981~pagePK:64257043~piPK:437376~theSitePK:4607,00.html

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 26, 2007 Thanks to reforms of business regulation, more businesses are starting up, finds < http://www.doingbusiness.org/>Doing Business 2008the fifth in an annual report series issued by the World Bank and IFC. Countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union reformed the most in 2006/07along with a large group of emerging markets, including China and India.

This year Egypt tops the list of reformers that are making it easier to do business. Egypt greatly improved its position in the global rankings on the ease of doing business, with reforms in five of the 10 areas studied by the report. And for the second year running, Singapore tops the aggregate rankings on the ease of doing business.

Besides Egypt, the other top 10 reformers are, in order, Croatia, Ghana, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, China, and Bulgaria. Another 11 countriesArmenia, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Mauritius, Mozambique, Portugal, Tunisia, and Uzbekistanhad three or more reforms. Reformers made it simpler to start a business, strengthened property rights, enhanced investor protections, increased access to credit, eased tax burdens, and expedited trade while reducing costs. In all, 200 reformsin 98 economieswere introduced between April 2006 and June 2007.

AND MUCH MORE....

______________________________
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 : 6:18 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
________________________________________________________________________

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

20,000 Sign SPLC Petition Urging Congress, President to Stop Guestworker Abuse [26 September 2007]
http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?aid=284

Sept. 26, 2007 The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) today submitted to Congress and President Bush the names of more than 20,000 people who signed a petition demanding an end to the shameful exploitation of foreign guestworkers lured to this country by U.S. companies.

Every state in America is represented on the petition urging an overhaul of the guestworker program to ensure that strong labor protections are enacted and enforced.

In letters sent to lawmakers and Bush, the SPLC is also encouraging support for the "Increasing American Wages and Benefits Act," guestworker reform legislation introduced today by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

"This inherently abusive program gives unscrupulous corporations a license to profit from broken promises made to guestworkers who are lured to United States to do some of the most difficult and dangerous work in our economy for the least amount of pay," said SPLC President Richard Cohen. "Providing strong labor protections to these workers would give them the fundamental human rights and decency they deserve."

Currently, the SPLC is representing guestworkers in seven class action lawsuits alleging that workers were cheated out of wages and not reimbursed for exorbitant fees associated with their recruitment and travel.

This past March, the SPLC issued a groundbreaking report, < http://www.splcenter.org/legal/guestreport/index.jsp> Close to Slavery, about the widespread, systematic abuses faced by guestworkers. Based primarily on thousands of interviews with guestworkers, the report shows the systematic abuse in a program that places these workers at the mercy of a single employer with little, if any, legal recourse if they are cheated out of wages or abused in other ways.

The report documents rampant wage violations, recruitment abuses, seizure of identity documents and squalid living conditions.

"Unlike U.S. citizens, guestworkers can't simply change jobs if they are mistreated," said Mary Bauer, director of the SPLC's Immigrant Justice Project. "They are bound to their employer, much like indentured servants of old but they must return home when the work is finished."

The "Increasing American Wages and Benefits Act" sponsored by Sanders would substantially improve the legal protections available to H-2B workers, who come to the United States for low-skilled, nonagricultural jobs. It would also improve protections for American workers laboring in industries that rely heavily on guestworkers.

The legislation would:

   * Provide the Department of Labor with explicit authority to enforce labor law violations pertaining to the H-2B program. Allow workers who have been directly and adversely affected by the H-2B program to have their day in court against their employers.
   * Allow the Legal Services Corporation to provide the same legal services to H-2B workers as it provides to agricultural guestworkers in the H-2A program.
   * Require employers to do a better job of recruiting American workers at higher wages before allowing them to hire H-2B guestworkers.
   * Prohibit companies that have announced mass lay-offs within the past year from hiring H-2B guestworkers.
   * Require employers to pay for the transportation expenses for H-2B guest workers both to the United States and back to their country of origin once the employment period ends.

"Under this program, many employers treat guestworkers like commodities instead of human beings," Cohen said. "Reform rooted in our basic ideals of human dignity and democracy is desperately needed."
______________________________
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 : 5:41 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
________________________________________________________________________

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2007 [25 September 2007]
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2006-2007/africa/index.html
or
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2006-2007/africa/ssptw07africa.pdf
[full-text, 194 pages]

[excerpt]
Preface
This third issue in the current four-volume series of Social Security
Programs Throughout the World reports on the countries of Africa. The
combined findings of this series, which also includes volumes on Europe,
Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas, are published at 6-month intervals
over a 2-year period. Each volume highlights features of social security
programs in the particular region.

The information contained in these volumes is crucial to our efforts, and
those of researchers in other countries, to review different ways of
approaching social security challenges that will enable us to adapt our
social security systems to the evolving needs of individuals, households,
and families. These efforts are particularly important as each nation
faces major demographic changes, especially the increasing number of aged
persons, as well as economic and fiscal issues.
...
Includes:

Table 1. Types of social security programs
Table 2. Types of mandatory systems for retirement income
Table 3. Demographic and other statistics related to social security, 2007
Table 4. Contribution rates for social security programs, 2007

See also
EUROPE
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2006-2007/europe/index.html
ASIA and the PACIFIC
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2006-2007/asia/index.html
AMERICAS
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2004-2005/americas/index.html
______________________________
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 : 5:27 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
________________________________________________________________________

AARP

AARP Profit From Experience
Perspectives of Employers, Workers and Policymakers in the G7 Countries on the New Demographic Realities
A Report for AARP Prepared by Towers Perrin, September 2007
http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/intl_older_worker.pdf
[full-text, 124 pages]

Executive Summary
http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/intl_older_worker_1.pdf
[full-text, 24 pages]

Press Release
http://www.aarp.org/research/work/employment/intl_older_worker.html

Among the challenges and opportunities created by aging workforces, one of the biggest is the need to redefine both employees' and employers' notions of how and when a career evolves and transitions to retirement. How prepared are the world's leading economies to address and respond to this changing dynamic?

With its comprehensive overview of aging workforce issues in the countries comprising the Group of Seven (G7) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States this AARP study breaks new ground by exploring how key stakeholders in these nations are responding to the aging workforce dynamic:

Governments, which need to ensure that they are economically competitive and that the social welfare benefits they provide are financially sound
Employers, who in light of the declining proportion of younger workers and projected shortages of skills in key areas, will increasingly need to turn to mature, experienced workers to gain and maintain a competitive advantage
Employees themselves, who are living longer and healthier lives and increasingly are more open to working beyond the traditional retirement ages both because they want to stay active and need to work to support themselves and their dependents

While this research found both commonalities and significant differences among the G7 countries on aging workforce issues, its findings suggest that, in a global seller's market for talent, the countries and companies in the best position to compete are those that are investing the time today to understand the coming challenges and laying the groundwork for seizing future opportunities.

Conducted for AARP in early 2007 by Towers Perrin, a global professional services firm, the study utilized information drawn from previously published research, insights from local experts, new employee research and interviews with selected employers. Further information may be obtained by contacting Matthew Suntag of AARP International Affairs at 202-434-3727 or Catherine Shaw of AARP Knowledge Management at 202-434-6379.

______________________________
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 : 11:15 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
________________________________________________________________________

AARP

Multi-national SC Johnson Heads AARP's 2007 List of Best Employers for Workers Over 50
Principal, Michelin North America Among Other Corporate Leaders Demonstrating World Class Policies Toward 50+ Employees / News Release
September 25, 2007
http://www.aarp.org/research/work/employment/bestemployers.html

A number of major multi-national corporations are demonstrating that enlightened policies toward 50+ employees make good business sense, based on the 2007 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.

SC Johnson, the consumer packaged goods company based in Racine, Wisconsin, with operations in more than 70 countries, is the top finisher. Along with other forward-looking practices, the company offers a range of flexible work arrangements that enable workers to balance their professional and personal lives.

SC Johnson provides generous health benefits, including an on-site medical center and various wellness, fitness and recreation programs; an on-site education program that provides lifelong learning and college credits; and paid sabbaticals to experienced employees. The company also offers comprehensive financial benefits and retirement planning tools.

Other large, successful companies, including the Principal Financial Group (# 9) and Michelin North America (# 44), gained honors in what is the seventh year of AARP's annual Best Employers search.

"International companies that take a world class approach in their policies toward 50 and over workers understand that the result is more productive employees," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli in announcing this year's winners.

"Focusing on the employee's personal needs pays dividends," added Novelli. "It is important that more employers - both large and small - recognize what tremendous assets 50 and over employees represent because of their experience and motivation."

The Best Employers winners will be honored at a dinner in New York, NY, on September 26, 2007. A CEO roundtable discussion focusing on the international best practices report, developed by global professional services firm Towers Perrin, will take place earlier that day. An international conference - titled "Profit From Experience" - will follow on September 27, 2007, also in New York, NY.

AARP The Magazine will feature the Best Employers winners in its November-December issue.

Last year's leader, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI, was a top choice again this year, finishing second. The not-for-profit provides a variety of alternative work arrangements, including nursing "float" options (work at different facilities or departments), and "seasonal work" programs that allow employees to go on leave for lengthy periods while maintaining benefits eligibility.

Among the major corporate firms, The Principal, based in Des Moines, Iowa, allows flexible scheduling choices and has an ambitious "Working Caregiver Leave" program that allows employees the option to work a part-time schedule for up to 12 weeks a year while maintaining job security and full benefits. Virtually all employees are eligible for both a pension and 40l (k) retirement plan; the company maintains automatic enrollment in its 40l (k) program.

Michelin North America provides flexible work schedules, temporary assignments for workers in other departments, and access to formal job rotations. A part-time work policy is in place for retirees.

Nine of the top 10 Best Employers are former winners. The new honoree is #8, George Mason University of Fairfax, Virginia. George Mason strongly encourages and supports flextime and telecommuting options for employees. More than two thirds (69 percent) of its workers use some form of flextime.

AARP invites employers to apply for the Best Employers honor by submitting an application outlining their exemplary policies and practices toward 50 and over workers.

The candidates undergo extensive vetting prior to the final selections. Key areas of consideration are: recruiting practices; opportunities for training, education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and pension benefits; retiree benefits; and age diversity of the workforce.

In addition to the main Best Employers selections, AARP announced today the winners of its annual Bernard E. Nash Awards for Innovation. These honorees, chosen from all applicants for the Best Employers honor, are spotlighted for achievement in at least one of these areas: flexible work options, recruitment, retiree work opportunities, and training and development.

The 2007 Innovation winners are: flexible work options, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI; retiree work opportunities, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation of Huntsville, Alabama, and training and development opportunities, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association of Chicago, IL.

2007 AARP Best Employers Winners

Rank, Company Name
   1. SC Johnson (Racine, WI)
   2. Mercy Health System (Janesville, WI)
   3. First Horizon National Corporation (Memphis, TN)
   4. Scripps Health (San Diego, CA)
   5. Stanley Consultants (Muscatine, IA)
   6. Lee Memorial Health System (Fort Myers, FL)
   7. Leesburg Regional Medical Center & The Villages Regional Hospital (Leesburg, FL)
   8. George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)
   9. Principal Financial Group (Des Moines, IA)
10. Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
11. MidMichigan Health (Midland, MI)
12. Bon Secours Richmond Health System (Richmond, VA)
13. The YMCA of Greater Rochester (Rochester, NY)
14. Brevard Public Schools (Viera, FL)
15. Atlantic Health (Morristown, NJ)
16. ACUITY (Sheboygan, WI)
17. Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Auburn Hills, MI)
18. Saint Vincent Health System (Erie, PA)
19. Trinitas Hospital (Elizabeth, NJ)
20. Securian (St. Paul, MN)
21. Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL)
22. Pinnacle Health System (Harrisburg, PA)
23. The Aerospace Corporation (El Segundo, CA)
24. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
25. Pinnacol Assurance (Denver, CO)
26. Jennings Center for Older Adults (Garfield Heights, OH)
27. John Deere (Moline, IL)
28. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System (Greenville, SC)
29. Centegra Health System (Crystal Lake, IL)
30. Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)
31. Durham Regional Hospital (Durham, NC)
32. Rush-Copley Medical Center (Aurora, IL)
33. Monongalia General Hospital (Morgantown, WV)
34. Saint Barnabas Health Care Organization (West Orange, NJ)
35. Express Personnel Services (Oklahoma City, OK)
36. Ochsner Health System (New Orleans, LA)
37. Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (Huntsville, AL)
38. Hospice of Marion County & Affiliated Companies (Ocala, FL)
39. West Virginia University Hospitals (Morgantown, WV)
40. University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX)
41. Scottsdale Healthcare (Scottsdale, AZ)
42. Vanguard (Valley Forge, PA)
43. Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, OH)
44. Michelin North America (Greenville, SC)
45. St. John Health (Warren, MI)
46. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (Chicago, IL)
47. Noblis, Inc. (formerly Mitretek Systems) (Falls Church, VA)
48. Frankford Candy & Chocolate Co. (Philadelphia, PA)
49. Centers for New Horizons (Chicago, IL)
50. Girl Scouts of Nassau County (Garden City, NY)
______________________________
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 : 10:43 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
________________________________________________________________________

Watson Wyatt

Merit Raises for 2008 Highest in Asia, Latin America, Watson Wyatt Finds [25 September 2007]
Employees in United States, Europe to See Lesser Increases in 2008
http://www.watsonwyatt.com/news/press.asp?ID=17830

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2007 Merit pay increases for employees in Asia-Pacific and Latin America will continue to top those of U.S. and European workers, according to a soon-to-be-published report by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm, and WorldatWork, the association for human resource professionals.

The global survey of 946 companies found that while employees worldwide can expect to see about the same levels of merit pay they are receiving in 2007, employees in quickly developing regions will receive a higher percentage. Merit-based pay is expected to increase 5 percent in Asia-Pacific, 4.5 percent in Latin America, 3.6 percent in the United States and 3 percent in Europe next year, for a global median of 4 percent.

AND MORE ...including TABLES....

______________________________
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 : 10:27 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
________________________________________________________________________

Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit
Institute for the Study of Labor
September 2007
IZA DP No. 3069

The Effect of Job Displacement on the Transitions to Employment and Early Retirement for Older Workers in Four European Countries
Konstantinos Tatsiramos
http://ftp.iza.org/dp3069.pdf
[full-text, 39 pages]

Abstract:
Despite the increased frequency of job loss for older workers in Europe, little is known on its
effect on the work-retirement decision. Employing individual data from the European
Community Household Panel for Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K., a multivariate
competing-risks hazard model is estimated in which the effect of job displacement is
identified separately for transitions into re-employment and retirement. The findings suggest
that in countries with institutional provisions for older unemployed which offer a pathway to
early retirement such as, Germany and Spain, older displaced workers exhibit lower reemployment
and higher retirement rates compared to the non-displaced. These results are
robust to dynamic selection due to unobserved heterogeneity and to the endogeneity of
displacement.

For additional IZA Publications, see --
http://www.iza.org/index_html?lang=en&mainframe=http%3A//www.iza.org/en/webcontent/publications/index_html&topSelect=publications

______________________________
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 : 1:27 PM

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
________________________________________________________________________

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK, UPDATE 2007 [17 September 2007]
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2007/Update/ado07update.pdf
[full-text, 158 pages]

See Press Release 17 September 2007
ADB Upgrades Developing Asia's 2007 Growth Forecast to 8.3%
http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2007/12156-asian-developments-outlooks/default.asp

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Developing Asian economies will register solid economic growth in 2007, driven by fast growth in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and India, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says in a new major report.

The PRC and India, which together account for 55.3% of the total gross domestic product (GDP) in developing Asia, recorded their fastest growth in 13 years in the first half of 2007 and 18 years in fiscal year 2006, respectively.

The < http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2007/Update/default.asp >Asian Development Outlook 2007 Update (ADO Update) says growth in Asia is now more broad-based as other regions like South Asia and Central Asia continue to post robust growth, and growth accelerates in other economies, such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

The report, however, warns that economic outlook for 2008 is hazy as uncertainty reigns in global financial markets and worries about the health of the U.S. economy mount.

The ADO Update foresees growth in Asia and the Pacific of 8.3% in 2007, up from an earlier estimate of 7.6%. Provided the global economy steadies, growth of 8.2% is anticipated in 2008.

While the jury is still out on the events unfolding in credit markets and the broader global economy, a sharp dive in Asia's economic growth still seems unlikely, it says.

"Developing Asia's defenses against external shocks are solid and it can weather a slowdown in the United States. The region's growth prospects will continue to depend on how well the countries address their internal challenges," says Ifzal Ali, Chief Economist of the Manila-based multilateral development bank.

The ADO Update says global risks to economic outlook now appear accentuated. It highlights that developing Asia would surely suffer if the US economy slows abruptly, though the impact may be modest and short lived.

The report also lists avian flu, geopolitical and security risks in some parts of the region and political uncertainty in a few countries as downside risks obscuring the outlook for a number of economies.

East Asia is now expected to grow by 8.9% in 2007. The ADO Update lifts growth forecast for the PRC to 11.2% this year. It expects brisk exports, strong investment and buoyant consumption to drive economic growth to 10.8% in 2008, an upward revision from the 9.8% projection in March.

South Asia, which continues to consolidate on its progress of recent years, is expected to grow at 8.1% in 2007. Potential growth rates in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan now appear to be on a more stable trajectory. The ADO Update projects India's economy to expand by 8.5% in 2007 and 2008.

Southeast Asia as a whole is now expected to grow at 6.1% in 2007. Private sector dynamism will help Viet Nam to post a scorching growth of 8.3% in 2007, while Philippines' growth forecast is now upgraded to 6.6% in 2007 after the country registered its fastest first-half growth in almost 20 years.

Growth in Indonesia continues to edge up and is now expected at 6.2% in 2007. Growth in Thailand is expected to be close to the earlier estimate of 4% in 2007 as political uncertainty continues to undermine consumer and private investment confidence.

Central Asia's growth estimates for 2007 has been raised to 11.1% as high oil prices and mineral exports continue to support economic expansion in the region.

The ADO Update downgrades the 2007 growth projection for Pacific Islands to 3.5% from 4.5% as an expected economic rebound in Timor-Leste has not been as strong as anticipated and the economic fallout in Fiji Islands has been more accentuated than expected.

The flagship economic report says while inflationary pressures emerged in some parts of the region in 2007, prospects for inflation in 2008 are difficult to predict as uncertainty shrouds the global economy. If growth turns out to be slower than anticipated, inflation could come down more quickly.

______________________________
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 : 12:41 PM

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
________________________________________________________________________

World Bank

GOVERNANCE MATTERS 2007:WORLD-WIDE GOVERNANCE INDICATORS 1996-2006 [July 2007]
http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/home.htm

INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY DATA REPORTS
http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/pdf_country.asp

Access Governance Indicators by COUNTRY [All Indicators for one country]
http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/sc_country.asp

In this mode you can select one of 212 countries and territories and generate charts and tables for all six governance indicators, and have the option of comparing the results with previous years, with regional averages, or with income group averages, as well as have access to underlying individual ratings.

To begin, select a country out of the drop-down list on the left hand side and hit "submit". This will generate a chart reporting the percentile rank for the selected country in all six indicators for 2006 and 1998.

You will have the option of changing/adding years as well as changing comparators and/or confidence intervals. Futhermore you can create line charts instead or tables displaying all the sources and data utilized to generate the aggregate score for the selected country.

Access Governance Indicators for SELECTED COUNTRIES
http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/mc_countries.asp

In this mode you can select one of six governance indicators and a group of comparator countries for which charts, maps and tables will be generated. You will also have the option of comparing the results with previous years, with regional averages, or with income group averages, and have access to underlying individual ratings.

To begin, select an indicator and then a region from the drop-down menus on the left-hand-side, followed by the selection of countries of interest (up to 20 at a time). This will generate a chart reporting the percentile rank for the selected countries and indicator for 2006 and 1998.

You can change/add years as well as change comparators and/or confidence intervals. Futhermore you can create world maps instead or tables displaying all the sources and data utilized to generate the aggregate score for the selected countries and indicator.

MAPPING GOVERNANCE by INDICATOR
http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/worldmap_start.asp?allcountries=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 : 12:33 PM

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. Travel and Tourism Satellite Accounts [24 September 2007]
REAL DIRECT TOURISM OUTPUT GREW 0.9 PERCENT IN SECOND QUARTER 2007
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/industry/tourism/2007/tour207.htm
or
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/industry/tourism/2007/pdf/tour207.pdf
[full-text, 7 pages]
or
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/industry/tourism/2007/xls/tour207.xls
[spreadsheet]
and
Background Information
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/industry/tourism/tourbackground.htm

Real direct tourism output increased at an annual rate of 0.9 percent in the second quarter of 2007, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real direct tourism output increased 2.1 percent (revised). Growth turned down in traveler accommodations while growth in overall transportation output remained strong in the second quarter. By comparison, real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 4.0 percent (preliminary) in the second quarter of 2007 and 0.6 percent (final) in the first quarter of 2007.

AND MUCH MORE...including TABLES....
______________________________
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 : 5:57 AM

IWS Documented News INTERNATIONAL

Friday, September 28, 2007

[IWS] USITC: U.S.-KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: Potential Economy-wide and Selected Sectoral Effects [20 September 2007]

[IWS] BLS: CHARTING the U.S. LABOR MARKET in 2006 [28 September 2007]

[IWS] OECD STATISTICS -- Beta Release [INTERACTIVE DATABASE] [25 September 2007]

[IWS] ILO Bangkok: Recent Publications, No. 2007/3 [September 2007]

[IWS] EUROPEAN "BLUE CARD" [Immigration] [26 September 2007]

Thursday, September 27, 2007

[IWS] BLS: INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS OF MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY AND UNIT LABOR COST TRENDS 2006 [27 September 2007]

[IWS] World Bank: DOING BUSINESS 2008 (178 ECONOMIES--Comparing Regulations) [26 September 2007]

[IWS] GUESTWORKER ABUSE in U.S. Addressed by 20,000 signatures & initiative [26 September 2007]

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

[IWS] AFRICA: SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD [25 September 2007]

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

[IWS] AARP/Towers Perrin: NEW DEMOGRAPHIC REALITIES: G7 Perspectives of EMPLOYERS, WORKERS, & POLICYMAKERS [ September 2007]

[IWS] AARP: 2007 BEST EMPLOYERS for WORKERS OVER 50 [25 September 2007]

[IWS] Watson Wyatt: 2008 MERIT RAISES HIGHEST in ASIA, LATIN AMERICA [25 September 2007]

Monday, September 24, 2007

[IWS] Effect of Job Displacement on the Transitions to Employment and Early Retirement for Older Workers in Four European Countries

[IWS] ADB: ASIAN DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK, UPDATE 2007 [17 September 2007]

[IWS] World Bank: WORLD-WIDE GOVERNANCE INDICATORS 1996-2006 [July 2007]

[IWS] BEA: U.S. TRAVEL & TOURISM SATELLITE ACCOUNTS [24 September 2007]

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