Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevo26
In this case, all that 'optimize' really means is 'optimizing our profits'. Seriously, large corporations that do this don't seem to grasp that they're treading a really fine line here. If they keep exporting jobs to low-wage, no-benefit, no health-and-safety regulations countries, eventually there will be no one left in North America who can afford to buy their products because they'll all be out of work.
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You are bang on, and the bigger issue is that places like China are starting to get smart. In my industry as an example we see most manufacturing coming out of China/Thailand/etc and over the past 18-24 months their governments are introducing mandatory wage increases for the workers in the double digit percent range.
What has happen is an automotive relay for instance used to cost $0.80 each is now $0.95 each and what can we do about it? North America firstly doesn't have the capability to manufacture the part because those factories are long gone so the up front cost to get machinery back in would be insane. And second even if we did have the facility no way would someone work on an assembly line for $18 and hour because that is just crazy.
They are going to continue raising prices and there is not much we can do about it, maybe eventually the North American workforce might smarten up and realize you should not be making $30 and hour working on a line pressing a button with zero education (I know not all line workers are like that just making a point).
There are ways to keep jobs here and create many more but it would take a dramatic shift in how most North American workers think and what they feel they are "entitled" to make.
Sorry to go a little more off topic and rant but since I work in the industry and see it first hand daily its frustrating to see how things are going and the fact there is a way to change it.