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Dan Tsang <dtsang@lib.uci.edu>
date Nov 25, 2006 1:22 PM
subject [Vsg] US puts squeeze on Vietnamese labor
Article from Asia Times:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HK22Ae02.html
dan
Dan Tsang <dtsang@lib.uci.edu>
date Nov 25, 2006 1:27 PM
subject [Vsg] Re: US puts squeeze on Vietnamese labor
The 15-page Am Cham report cited in the Asia Times essay is linked here:
http://www.uschamber.com/publications/reports/06asean.htm
Article on it: http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/061115/1/44twc.html
dan
Markus Taussig <markustaussig@mac.com>
date Nov 25, 2006 2:25 PM
subject Re: [Vsg] US puts squeeze on Vietnamese labor
I'm curious whether anyone on the list is closely covering these
latest labor issues in Vietnam. The article Dan forwarded is quite
interesting, but frames the issue of Vietnamese working conditions in
a quite odd way: American business has not followed through on it's
promise to raise the minimum wage. As far as I understand, the
foreign businesses in question are in compliance with the appropriate
government-legislated minimum wage, which is substantially higher
than that required of domestic businesses. Were the government to
regulate a 40% increase in the minimum wage, I tend to doubt any
problems with the Vietnamese administration's ability to enforce such
a change.
It does seem a shame that American businesses aren't able to
distinguish themselves more significantly through payment of
relatively high wages in a place like Vietnam. But that, as I see
it, relates more to the fact that despite our willingness to pay a
bit extra for our ice cream and coffee to be wrapped in a more feel
good story, we American consumers don't really appear to be willing
to go there for the full range of our consumer products, including
sneakers and clothes. And it's easier to just blame the companies.
At the heart of the matter is the disingenuous concern American labor
advocates tend to feign for Vietnamese (and other developing country)
workers, when their real constituency (and source of funding) is
American workers. The 80% or more of Vietnamese workers still
seeking formal sector employment play a role too.
Markus
Sidel, Mark <mark-sidel@uiowa.edu> hide details Nov 25
reply-to Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
to Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
date Nov 25, 2006 3:24 PM
subject RE: [Vsg] US puts squeeze on Vietnamese labor
I/ve been following some of the issues Dan and Markus refer to, primarily those that relate to labor export and labor trafficking, the newly-adopted Law on Labor Export, and the new amendments to the Labor Code. I'd be interested in talking with VSG members who may also be following the VN labor export and labor trafficking issues.
Best wishes.
Mark Sidel
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