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March 1, 2011 | Download PDF | Share
Dirty Parts/Where Lost Fingers Come Cheap: Ford in China
Executive Summary
In the global sweatshop economy, life, and lost fingers, come cheap.
--Charles Kernaghan
The Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Product Company Ltd in Dongguan, China produces auto parts for export to Ford which, according to workers, accounts for 80 percent of total production. The Yuwei factory has a U.S. office and warehouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Workers earn a base wage of just 80 cents an hour, while working 14-hour shifts, seven days a week. During the peak season, workers will toil 30 days a month, often drenched in their own sweat. Prospective hires are told they must "work hard and endure hardship."
- On March 13, 2009, twenty-one year old Worker "A" had three fingers and several knuckles torn from his left hand when it was trapped in a powerful punch press, or stamping machine. He was making "RT Tubes" for export to Ford at the time of his accident. Management deliberately instructed the worker to turn off the infrared safety monitor device so he could work faster. "We had to turn it off. My boss did not let me turn it on," said Worker A. He had to stamp out 3,600 "RT Tubes" a day, one every 12 seconds.
- We are aware of at least four serious injuries-maimed hands and fingers-over the last several years. "Minor" injuries occur every one or two months. Seriously injured workers are fired after a year or two.
- New workers receive no training or safety instructions before being assigned to operate dangerous machinery.
- Worker A received a total compensation payment of just $7,430 for the loss of three fingers, leaving his hand basically inoperative. In the U.S., Workers Compensation for a similar injury would result in a $144,292 payment. Worker A was also shortchanged of his severance pay before he was fired.
- If a worker misses one day's work, as punishment he will be docked three days' wages.
- While millions of democracy advocates are launching protests across the Middle East and North Africa, workers at the Yuwei factory have never heard the word "union" and have no idea what a union is or how it could help them.
- Ford must immediately conduct a thorough inspection of the Yuwei factory. The infrared safety monitoring system must never again be shut off, especially on the dangerous punch press machines.
- Factory management and Ford must provide additional compensation to Worker A of $72,126, which is just one half what workers compensation in the U.S. would be.
- Local and internationally recognized worker rights standards must be respected.
Table of Contents
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Preface
It is Time to End the Race to the Bottom
By Charles Kernaghan
When Walter Reuther first started working at Ford as a tool and die maker in 1927, he was earning $1.05 an hour, which today would be the equivalent of $13.29.
Eighty-four years later, a worker in China producing auto parts for export to Ford is paid just 80 cents an hour. He and his co-workers have never heard the word "union," and have no idea what it is or how it can help them.
It was Wall Street's greed and wild excesses which led to the Great Recession that brought our economy to the brink of collapse, leaving-even today-more than 25 million Americans out of work or forced to take drastic cuts, working part time.
It is a sad fact that not one single high flyer on Wall Street has been prosecuted for destroying our economy. Instead, Wall Street racked up $70 billion in profits last year. This was only part of corporate America's profits, which reached $1.7 trillion in 2010-the highest in the last 60 years. Corporations are holding onto their profits rather than investing in the U.S.
These same corporations are now moralizing to us that while there are poor working people amongst us, we cannot allow middle class union workers to earn a living wage, receive benefits, or have the right to organize and bargain collectively. Essentially, corporations and their political mouthpieces are saying we have to spread the poverty so no one is left alone.
In a sick sort of way, they have a point. Unions have to take all workers with them. We cannot leave anyone behind.
We need to entirely change the debate going on in America.
This is what we can do. We can help workers in the U.S. and across the global economy if we hold corporations accountable to respect local labor laws and internationally recognized labor rights standards.
There is a precedent. Corporations have demanded and won all sorts of laws backed up by sanctions-intellectual property and copyright law-to protect their products in the global economy. Corporations say that without such legal protections, it would be chaos and a race to the bottom. For example, Mattel sues on average once a month to protect "Barbie." If another doll comes along with look-alike lips, Mattel will sue to protect their "Barbie."
We do not entirely disagree with the companies on this. There does need to be a level playing field.
Working together with the United Steelworkers union, religious organizations, students and other activists, we drew up worker rights legislation which for the first time ever will hold corporations accountable to respect local labor laws in the U.S. and internationally.
The legislation is very simple. Corporations must adhere to the local labor laws, including minimum wage levels, in the countries where they are producing. This should be no problem, as every company says they already do this. Have you ever heard a company say they are violating local labor laws? In addition, under the legislation, corporations will be held accountable to respect the core ILO internationally recognized worker rights standards-no child or forced labor, decent working conditions, freedom of association, the right to organize a union and bargain collectively. Here too, this should not be a problem, since the companies say they strictly adhere to the International Labor Organization's worker rights standards.
The Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act is very simple. Corporations can produce goods and services anywhere in the world. But if they violate local labor laws in the countries they are producing, then their goods cannot be imported to the U.S., sold here or exported. The same is true of the core ILO labor rights standards. If the ILO standards are violated, the product cannot be imported, sold or exported from the U.S.
When the USW introduced the jobs bill in the 110th Congress, there were 175 co-sponsors in the House and 26 in the Senate, including Senators Obama, Biden and Clinton.
A Harris Poll showed that 79 percent of the people surveyed supported the proposed labor rights legislation.
There is even a precedent for such legislation. When Congress was alerted that garment manufacturers in China were producing winter jackets for sale at the Burlington Coat Factory stores, and that the fur collars were made of dog and cat fur, Congress went ballistic. No one would kill dogs and cats on their watch! In no time, they passed the Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000, which prohibits the import, sale or export of dog and cat fur from the U.S. Now we need to give the same legal protections to workers in the global economy.
This is our time to act, and the worker rights legislation is our vehicle.
When the stock market crashed in October 1929 and the Great Depression took hold, two thirds of Ford employees were laid off and wages plummeted. There was no unemployment insurance at the time, but the struggle went on. On March 7, 1932, the Ford Hunger March saw 100,000 rallying in Detroit, while thousands more marched on the River Rouge Ford plant. Five union workers were shot and killed, while scores of others were injured. In 1938, the United Auto Workers had 370,000 due-paying members. By 1941, after a long struggle, the workers won the right to organize at Ford.
We won then and we can win now.
Our economy belongs to the American people every bit as much as it belongs to the corporations.
This is a time for struggle and solidarity.
Profile of Dongguan Yuwei
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Dongguan Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Product Co. Ltd. Deputy factory manager: Mr. Steven Zhou |
The factory, founded in 2000, produces plastic and metal component auto parts used in gear shifts, brakes, lights, doors and panels for Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Honda and Volkswagen. According to management and workers, Ford accounts for approximately 80 percent of total factory production.
Auto parts from the Dongguan Yuwei Plastics and Hardware factory are exported to the U.S. and Mexico.
According to CBC (USA) Inc's website, the company provides "seamless coordination to our customers and just-in-time logistics in North America and Mexico." Moreover, "our priority and focus are quality and 100% on-time delivery! Our China plant and US office can provide not only low price but also timely service for you. Our local (USA-close to your plant) warehouse can deliver parts to you per week." In 2009, CBC (USA) Inc. generated $15,800,000 of revenues in the U.S.
There are approximately 350 workers at the factory. (Depending upon slow or peak season production, the number of factory workers can vary from 200 to 400.) The Dongguan Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Product Co. Ltd. has an office and warehouse under the name CBC (USA) Inc. in the United States, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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CBC (USA) Inc. USA Contact: Mr. Wenchii Tao |
Dongguan Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Product Co. Ltd.
The Story of Worker A
Worker A" started working at the Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Factory on April 1, 2006, when he was just 18 years old. He was severely injured on March 13, 2009, when he was 21. He recalled vividly that it was 9:40 a.m. when he was injured. Three fingers were torn off his left hand and two knuckles gouged out. His left hand is basically inoperative. Management fired him in August 2010 without his proper severance pay. At 22 years of age, with his left hand maimed, he says: "Now I can't find a job." He produced auto parts for Ford.
Worker A operated a 60 ton punch press molding, or stamping, machine which cut and bent what the workers called an "RT Tube" or metal gear shift about 5 inches long and less than a half inch in diameter which a 35.5 degree bend in the tube.
Workers drew a picture of the "RT Tube".
The punch press machine was equipped with an infrared safety monitoring device, which would immediately shut the machine off if a worker's hand went into the danger zone. However, a factory manager ordered Worker A to turn off the infrared safety system.
Worker A explained: "Some of the small parts could not be done with the infrared monitoring on. We had to turn it off. My boss did not let me turn it on."
To make certain we understood what he was saying, we asked the same question again. His response was: "If you had it [the infrared monitor] on, you couldn't make certain products. We had to turn it off."
Not only were the infrared safety controls shut off, new workers reported that they went straight to the workshop and began operating dangerous machinery without training, or even the most cursory explanation regarding what safety procedures to follow at work. When asked again, the workers repeatedly confirmed that they receive no health and safety training before being assigned to their work station.
Management set a production goal for Worker A of stamping out 300 "RT tubes" an hour-or one piece every 12 seconds. This pace went on non-stop. In the regular eight-hour shift he had to complete 2,400 pieces, and with the four hours of mandatory overtime, he had to stamp out 3600 "RT tubes" a day. After the "RT tubes" were cut and bent, they went straight to the plastic injection line.
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At 9:30 a.m. on March 13, 2009, Worker A's left hand got caught in the punch press machine, |
"When I got injured at work, I had this feeling that other injured workers had," said Worker A. "I was depressed. I felt like my life was completely over and I had no hope. I didn't know what my future would be. I was afraid that people would mention my deformity. I was somewhat less than other people." He felt it was so unfair that he was so young, but so badly injured. Of course, he wondered if he would ever find a woman who would marry him. Also, how could he earn a living with just one good hand?
After spending nearly seven weeks in the hospital-from March 13 to April 29, 2009-Worker A was released. He received no occupational rehabilitation training. On his own, he is trying to regain some strength in his left arm and hand. He can now lift a 33-pound weight with his left arm.
Management at the Dongguan Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Product Company does pay into the government's Social Insurance Agency so that injured workers are at least covered for medical insurance and work injury insurance. If a worker is hurt on the job, the Social Insurance Agency will pay his or her medical bills and provide work injury compensation.
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| CBC(USA), Inc. |
For a very serious 8th Degree injury-the loss of three fingers and several of his knuckles, leaving his left hand largely inoperable-Worker A received a Social Insurance payment of just 11,000 RMB, or $1,667.93. (The one-time Social Insurance workers compensation was set at 10 months pay-for an eighth degree hand injury-based on the average monthly wage he earned over the last 12 months, which was 1100 RMB ($166.79) for a total of $1,667.93.)
Factory management was also required to pay Worker A work injury compensation of 38,000 RMB, or $5,761.94.
For the loss of three fingers, leaving his left hand seriously maimed, Worker A-who was just 21 years old at the time of his accident-received a total compensation of just $7,429.87, or $2,476.62 per finger.
In the global sweatshop economy, life, and lost fingers, come cheap.
Workers Compensation in the U.S.In New York State, a worker belonging to the United Auto Workers union (UAW) who suffered a tragic injury similar to Worker A's-with an 80 percent loss of his left hand-would receive a Workers Compensation payment of $144,252.80. (This would be based on payment of $739 a week x 195.2 weeks-for 80% loss of hand-amounting to a total of $144,252.80.) A $144, 252.80 compensation for an 80 percent loss of a hand is not much. But it is light years different from China's workers compensation, which comes to just $1667.93 for an 80 percent loss of hand function. This is just a little over one percent (1.156%) of what a U.S. union auto worker would receive.
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Work Injury
We know of at least four very serious hand injuries over the last five years at the Dongguan Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Factory. In 2005, a worker lost his palm and fingers. In 2007, in March and April, two workers suffered very serious finger loss. One worker had a 10th degree injury, which meant his hand would never function again. In August 2009, Worker A suffered an 8th degree hand injury, where three of his fingers were torn off along with several of his knuckles. His left hand is basically inoperative.
Workers report that less serious injuries are much more frequent. "It all depends," one worker told us, "on how heavy the work load is and how many orders the factory has. When there is a lot of work and overtime, there are more injuries."
On average we are told, there are "minor" injuries every one to two months, and sometimes more. When it is very busy there can be several injuries in a month.
Another worker told us: "There have been a lot of less serious ones [injuries]. You wrap it up and rest for a couple of weeks."
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| Seriously maimed workers are quickly fired. |
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"With abundant machines and professional staff, we have ability to develop a long-term business relationship with our clients." --CBC (USA) Inc.
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Bill of Lading
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SHIPPER |
CONSIGNEE |
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| PACKAGING INFORMATION |
SHIPMENT DETAIL |
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| Weight: | 6,589.84 KG | Country of Origin: |
Peoples Republic of China |
| Quantity: | 431.00 CTNS | Arrival Date: |
03/27/2009 |
| Estimated Value: | $40,419.11 | Vessel: | MAREN MAERSK |
| Port of Arrival: | Los Angeles | ||
| Port of Departure: | Yantian | ||
| AMS COMMODITIES |
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Description |
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On March 13, 2009, Worker A lost three fingers and several knuckles while working on auto parts for export to the U.S. The above may be the very products he was working on when his left hand was destroyed.
A Pattern of Firing Injured Workers
Worker A, just 21 years old, suffered a serious injury on March 13, 2009. Management deliberately shut off the infrared safety monitoring system on the punch press and cutting machine he was operating, which resulted in the loss of three fingers and several knuckles, leaving his left hand seriously maimed.
After leaving the hospital, management reassigned Worker A to the plexiglass processing department where he was a "material handler," (which is an odd assignment for someone with just one good hand.) He lasted nearly a year and a half, before he was fired on August 25, 2010.
Worker A's firing fits a pattern of other seriously injured workers who were also reassigned to other departments only to be fired a few years later. For example, two factory workers suffered extremely serious hand injuries in 2007. A little over three years after their injuries, they too were fired. One of these fired workers explained:
"For injured workers the factory would think of ways to force them to leave. Injured workers never get a pay raise. They can only secure a minimum living standard. Injured workers all leave the factory because of [the low] wages."
It appears that management is just waiting for the appropriate moment to sack the maimed workers, thereby severing all relationships with them. To fire the maimed workers too quickly might draw too much attention and anger.
Cheating Workers of their Severance Pay
After Worker A was fired, a factory manager told him that since he was terminated, he had no legal right to severance pay. The owner knew this was a lie, but if he could bluff and frighten the young worker into leaving without his severance, then that would be so much more money in his pocket.
It was not until Worker A filed a letter of complaint with a local labor office that management agreed on January 19, 2011 to pay his severance.
Worker A had been employed at the factory from April 1, 2006 to August 25, 2010, when he was fired. He had worked 53 months-nearly four-and-a-half years-at the factory. Management offered Worker A a severance of 12,000 RMB ($1,819.56) based on six months severance at 2,000 RMB ($303.26) per month.
But according to the law, the injured worker should have received a severance pay of 18,000 RMB, or $2,729.34. From April 1, 2006 when he started working at the factory through December 31, 2007, he was due 4000 RMB plus 50 percent as extra compensation for late payment of his severance, bringing the subtotal to 6,000 RMB, or $910. For the period January 1, 2008 through his firing on August 25, 2010, he was due double severance compensation which would bring the subtotal to 12,000 RMB, or $1819.56. (China's labor contract law, which came into effect as of January 2008, stipulates that severance must be paid at twice the base wage. And factory management itself had set the minimum severance pay at 2,000 RMB per month.)
For months, Worker A fought to receive his full legal severance pay of $2,729.34. In response, one of the factory managers-whom the workers refer to as "Boss"-told the worker:
"If you want to create a sensation, then go ahead. Even if you win a lawsuit, I would still not pay one cent. If I lose the lawsuit, whatever you do does not matter, I don't care if you go to the court."
Of course, the reality is that poor workers do not have the resources or connections to bring a lawsuit against a wealthy and well-connected factory owner.
In the end, Worker A had to accept a severance of 12,000 RMB ($1,819l.56). Management cheated the seriously injured worker of $909.78.
Worker "A" Describes the Factory
Worker A described the factory as very damp and with poor ventilation. He and other workers handled a lot of thinners and cutting fluids. "We use thinners," he said, "because some auto parts have to be soaked in thinners to remove the grease and dirt so the parts look shiny and brand new. The factory distributes gloves and masks. With the masks, workers breathe in less poisonous chemicals." Cutting fluids, which smell horrible, were used for cooling down and lubricating the cutting tools. "To speed up the machines, we use the cutting fluids to protect the cutting tools."
Dripping in their Own Sweat
During the long, semi-tropical summer months in the South of China where the auto parts factory is located, the workers reported working drenched in their own sweat. There were fans in between the large punch press machines, but they provided no relief whatsoever, and the factory has no air conditioning.
Worker A reported that often he worked with his uniform soaking wet from sweat.
Long, Grueling Hours
During the seven-month peak season, from March through September, when factory orders are high, it was typical to work a 14-hour shift, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. During the peak season, it is not uncommon to work 30 days a month. When it is busy, workers will only take time off on national holidays. However, if workers are exhausted, they can request a day off.
Typical Peak Season 14-Hour Shift:
Working 12 Hours a Day,
Seven Days a Week
| 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon | Work; 4 hours |
| 12:00 noon - 01:30 p.m. | Lunch; 1 ½ hours |
| 01:30 p.m. - 05:30 p.m. | Work; 4 hours |
| 05:30 p.m. - 06:00 p.m. | Supper break; half hour |
| 06:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Overtime; 4 hours |
During the peak season, this schedule puts the workers at the factory 98 hours a week, while working 84 hours, including 44 hours of overtime. However, given the exhausting schedule, it is not uncommon for workers to take one day off a month and to work less than the standard 12-hour shift on Saturdays and Sundays. Including these ‘breaks," on average, workers report toiling 78 ½ hours a week and 340 hours a month. Since the regular legal workweek is 40 hours, this means that the workers are working 38 ½ hours of overtime each week, which exceeds China's legal limit on permissible overtime by 363 percent! (On average, workers put in 166.83 hours of overtime a month, while China's labor laws limit overtime to just 36 hours of overtime a month.) Also, under China's labor laws, all overtime must be voluntary, which is clearly not the case at the Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Factory.
Regular hours are eight hours a day, five days a week, for a 40 hour workweek. However, even during the slow season, at a minimum management demands workers remain for overtime at least on Saturday mornings. It is also not uncommon for workers to be required to toil 11 hours on weekdays, working three hours of mandatory overtime, in addition to a four or an eight-hour shift on Saturday. So even during the slow season workers can be required to put in 50 to 64 hours of work a week.
One worker explained, "All workers worked on Saturday morning. It was overtime. Working on Saturday afternoon depended on the situation in the factory. If it was busy we continued working in the afternoon."
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Factory Discipline is Severe
- If workers miss a day, management deducts three days wages as punishment.
- In the course of a month, if the worker is late for a total of 15 minutes, every additional minute thereafter will be docked one RMB, or 15 cents. Much more serious is being late for overtime. For being one minute late to overtime, a half-hour of their overtime wage is deducted.
- Workers are allowed one paid sick day each month. The only glitch is if a worker takes a sick day they lose their entire monthly attendance bonus of 80 RMB, or $12.13, which is twice a day's regular wage of $6.41.
- Demerit System: Management also uses a demerit system. For example, workers who arrive late to work too often will be given a demerit. Workers can receive demerits for disobeying management, skipping work, and other perceived violations. Three demerits lead to automatic firing.
Workers Have Never Heard of a Union
Conditions at the Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Factory in Dongguan are so backward and restrictive that when asked, workers responded that they had no idea what a "union" is, how it functions, or how it could help them.
Clearly the workers have no rights, leaving them isolated and trapped under conditions where management holds all the cards.
As demonstrator protests are rocking the Middle East and North Africa, many workers in China still have no idea what a union is.
Eighty-Cent-an-hour Base Wage
At the time of the research, the base wage in the auto parts factory was 916 RMB a month ($130.89) and 80 cents an hour. (Recently the base wage was raised 14 cents a month and .0035 cents per hour.)
Base Wage
(916 RMB per month)
$0.80 a hour
$6.41 a day (8 hours)
$32.05 a week (40 hours)
$138.89 a month
$1,666.72 a year
However, deductions were taken out of the workers' wages by management for room and board. Six to eight workers shared each dorm room-sleeping on double level metal bunk beds-and management deducted 60 RMB ($9.10) per month from each worker. Workers were also each charged 210 RMB ($31.84) per month for food, which was also deducted from their wages. This would bring the workers' base wage down to just 646 RMB ($97.95) a month, after deductions. This brings the workers' take home base wage down to just 56 ½ cents per hour.
On the other hand management also provides several stipends, such as an 80 RMB ($12.13) a month stipend for perfect attendance. Workers also received a regular stipend of 190 RMB, $28.81, each month along with a 90 RMB stipend ($13.65) for something called their "work position." There was also a two RMB stipend (30 cents) for working overtime hours during a night shift.
The stipends, minus the deductions for room and board, bring the regular wage up to 1006 RMB per month-again, depending upon perfect attendance-$152.54 a month, $35.20 a week and 88 cents an hour. No one can survive on 88 cents an hour, which is why the workers rely upon working as many overtime hours as possible. Young workers are trying desperately to save money in order to marry while older couples are saving every cent to send home to their children and their elderly parents.
By law, overtime on weekdays is paid at a 50 percent premium, $7.9 RMB ($1.20) an hour, while overtime on weekends must be paid as double time, 10.45 RMB ($1.58.)
Peak Season Wages
(1,500-2,000 RMB)
$52.49 - $69.98 a week (40 hours)
$227.45 - $303.24 a month
$2,729.34 - $3,639.12 a year
To earn a take home wage of $69.98 a week the workers must toil a seven day 70.5 hours a week, including 30.5 hours of overtime. Even with the excessive-and illegal-mandatory overtime hours demanded by management, the workers are still earning an average take home wage of just 90 cents an hour after deductions.
Dorm Conditions
By China's standards, dorm conditions at the Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Factory are not too bad. There are four double-level bunk beds in each room. Workers count themselves lucky if there are just six people sharing the room, which frees up two bed spaces for the workers to store their personal belongings.
There are water fountains on each floor and workers can drink the water for free.
Each dorm room has a bathroom with hot water. There are two ceiling fans and also air conditioning, but it is unclear if the workers have to pay the electric bills for using the air conditioner.
Security guards at the dorms only stop and check workers going in and out of the dorm if they are carrying luggage.
Workers who choose not to live in the dorms or eat in the factory's cafeteria are still charged a deduction of 60 RMB ($9.10) each month.
Labor Contract
Workers sign a three-year labor contract with factory management after two or three weeks of employment. The contract includes a six month probation period. However, in violation of China's labor laws, the workers are not provided a copy of the contract they signed with management, nor could they discuss or negotiate any of the clauses.
Factory Uniforms
Workers must wear factory uniforms while at work. Summer uniforms cost 20 RMB ($3.03), while winter uniforms are 70 RMB ($10.61). Uniform costs are deducted from the workers' wages. After the first year, uniforms are free.
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Job Announcement Posted at Front Gate "Work Hard, Endure Hardship"
Dongguan Yu-Wei Plastics and Hardware Factory The company is an auto supplier for major brands in the world. Our clients include Ford, Chrysler, GM, Volkswagen etc. Chang-An Town, Shang-Jiao Management Area, Zhen-An West Road, No. 222 1. Beautiful surrounding areas; convenient; air-conditioning in the cafeteria and the dormitory; 24-hour supply of hot water/clean water; basketball courts, table tennis tables, badminton courts, newspapers and magazines, TV in the cafeteria etc. 2. Full attendance award of 80 RMB. 2 snacks every week. Taking complementary time during overtime hours would not affect full attendance. Great benefits. The factory primarily produces plastic, hardware and other auto parts, now publicly recruiting the following positions:.... 5. Injection Molding Operator: multiple openings This position is limited to female workers, 18 to 32 years of age. You must be familiar with plastics and know how to shave the burrs off the edges of plastic products. You must be willing to comply with work arrangements, work hard and endure hardship (You must be willing to work the night shift. You will work night shift every other month) 6. Quality inspector (multiple positions): This position is limited to female workers, 18 to 32 years of age. Priority will be given to those who have experience working on the assembly lines at electronics factories. You must be willing to comply with work arrangements, have a strong sense of quality, work hard and endure hardship. Base pay: 920/month; overtime on weekdays: 7.9; Overtime on weekends: 10.45; monthly salary up to 1800-2100. The company provides excellent salaries and benefits for every employee and buys social insurance for every employee. The company signs a labor contract with employees once they are employed. Those who are interested please walk in with required documentation for an interview immediately!
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Trade Deficit With China
Costs 5.5 Million Americans Their Jobs
U.S. Trade Deficit with China Reaches Record Levels--$273.1 billion in 2010
In 2010, U.S. exports to China totaled $91.9 billion, while China's exports to the U.S. reached $364.9 billion, leaving the U.S. with a record trade deficit with China of $273.1 billion!
This $273.1 billion trade deficit has resulted in the loss of 5.5 million U.S. jobs. (Economists, including at the White House, estimate that every $1 billion in exports to China create 20,000 U.S. jobs, and vice versa. A $1 billion trade deficit with China takes away 20,000 jobs.)
- For every $1.00 we export to China, China exports $4.00 of goods and services to the U.S. ($3.97)
- China is now the world's largest exporter.
- China has replaced Japan as the world's second largest economy.
- China's economy grew 10.3 percent in 2010, and is one of the largest destinations for Direct Foreign Investment.
- Goldman Sachs' chief of asset management, Mr. Jim O'Neil, advises that, "China must be part of every intelligent investor's long term strategy." (New York Times, January 23, 2011)
- China is spending $2 billion a day to hold down the value of its currency, the Renminb (RMB) which is undervalued by 20 percent or more.
- China is not ready for Democracy (?): "The Chinese Government has also tried to get out ahead of the discussion, framing the Egyptian protests in a few editorials and articles in state-controlled news publications as a chaotic affair that embodies the pitfalls of trying to plant democracy in countries that are not quite ready for it-a line China's leaders have long held." (New York Times, February 1, 2011)
Addenda
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