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January 1998

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U.S. economy ended 1997 with a big boom (Saturday, 1/31/98)
The United States Department of Commerce reported yesterday that the American Gross Domestic Product grew at an annual rate of 4.3 percent during the fourth quarter of last year and at 3.8 percent for the year as a whole. It was the strongest year in nearly a decade. However, Commerce officials agree with Fed head Alan Greenspan that the Asian crisis can be expected to put the brakes on American expansion to some extent this year. Here's the good news about 1997 from Glenn Somerville of Reuters and John Berry of the Washington Post. Speaking of the Fed, the New York Times' Richard Stevenson discusses the challenges faced by the Federal Reserve now that the battle to squeeze inflation out of the American economy seems to have been won. Incidentally, Chairman Greenspan has been providing testimony in Congress, and, among other things, warned that the Asian crisis could spread to other regions of the world, even Latin America and parts of Europe. He joined Secretaries Rubin and Cohen in telling Congress that it will "take plenty of money" to overcome the near-panic in Asian financial markets. There has been some resistance in Congress to re-funding the International Monetary Fund.

An example of why some Asian economies have been having trouble (Saturday, 1/31/98)
The career of Japan's Finance Minister went down in flames this week because of political corruption. The Washington Post's Sandra Sugawara examines Japan's construction industry as just one example of "crony capitalism." Other Asian economies that have been experiencing crises during recent months have their own versions, and it is part of what the International Monetary Fund and others are insisting must be changed as a condition of international assistance.

Job cuts at Del Monte (Saturday, 1/31/98)
Del Monte is closing some California operations and shifting others with an expected net loss of 1,000 jobs. Also, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that America Online may lay off about 300 of CompuServe's workers as part of the merger of the two commercial on-line services.

CDC report details health coverage gaps in the U.S. (Saturday, 1/31/98)
About 1 in 5 Americans either lack health insurance or have inadequate coverage, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report presents state-by-state information.

What took Harvard Law so long? (Saturday, 1/31/98)
Derrick Bell offers some opinions about the appointment of Lani Guinier as its first tenured, black, female professor at Harvard Law School.

Belgian security guards still on strike (Saturday, 1/31/98)
Belgian police are moving money around now that security guards are temporarily unavailable because of a continuing strike.

AFL-CIO meeting ends with commitment to ambitious agenda (Saturday, 1/31/98)
The AFL-CIO intends to urge Congress to broaden health care coverage, increase the minimum wage and strengthen retirement security during 1998, according to today's Nando Times. The big labor federation's executive council has wrapped up a two-day meeting in Washington, D. C.

Would Marx, Engels, Lenin, or Mao recognize communism in China now, or anyplace? (Saturday, 1/31/98)
Mao was regarded by Soviet party leaders as a heretic when he bent communist doctrine around in order to fit local Chinese conditions as he understood them. However, all of the fathers of one of the 20th century's most pernicious ideologies probably would be scratching their heads over what has been happening in China lately. Erik Eckholm reports on the rabid consumerism that has been pushing aside the sweaty ideologues of years past. But, wait! Communist Party membership is way up too. What's going on?

Job-seeking help in Australia no longer available to everyone who needs it (Saturday, 1/31/98)
The new system targets the most needy, according to the Australian government. Helen Trinca of the Sydney Morning Herald reports that many are not pleased. Also in Morning Herald today, Anne Davies writes from Canberra about the risks faced by the Maritime Union of Australia under the New Workplace Relations Act, if wharf workers decide to strike. Individuals could be fined as much as $500,000.

How GE Medical is finding tech workers (Saturday, 1/31/98)
Thomas Stewart reports for Fortune about how one company is coping with the increasingly serious shortage of technical workers in the United States and elsewhere. One-tenth of professional and technical positions in the new information economy remain unfilled, according to the Information Technology Association of America.

Philadelphia getting tougher on illegal immigration (Saturday, 1/31/98)
Sudarsan Raghavan reports for the Philadelphia Inquirer on that region's get-tough policy on illegal immigration. Thousands of people are being arrested and deported, and more federal funds plus more available detention space is making it possible.

Greenspan presents his report card (Friday, 1/30/98)
Even though the Asian crisis has started to affect the U.S., and can be expected to affect it more by late spring, the American economy is in solid shape, according to Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. The tight labor market in the U.S. is driving wages up and still constitutes a future threat, though, despite no immediate inflation problems, he says. The new edition of Business Week sees trouble brewing for corporate profits because of the tight labor situation.

Good news in a country that needs some good news (Friday, 1/30/98)
Record-high unemployment has abated a bit in France. Joblessness has declined to its lowest level since February 1996.

High stakes in Canada (Friday, 1/30/98)
The Ottawa Citizen says that a new federal report, Growth, Human Development, Social Cohesion, claims that nearly everything depends on Canada's making a full transition to a new knowledge-based economy. It will solve its long-term social and economic problems if it does this, but can expect division if it does not. The report's authors are gloomy about the country's real prospects for effectively managing the information revolution by which it will live die.

AFL-CIO to push for another minimum wage increase (Friday, 1/30/98)
The big labor confederation will throw its considerable weight behind a new increase in the minimum wage, according to Steven Greenhouse's New York Times story this morning. Reuters reports that the AFL-CIO also wants to make future IMF funding conditional upon improved worker and human rights in countries receiving financial assistance. In somewhat related news, here's a Christian Science Monitor piece on the "moral hazards" inherent in IMF and other efforts to assist the troubled Asian countries. Meanwhile, the Washington Post's Steven Pearlstein writes about George Soros and Robert Rubin's ideas for fixing a global financial system that needs fixing, in their view. Finally, does globalization have to be cruel? Not so, says John Browne of British Petroleum Company. Businesses need to find a balance between short-term profits and broader social responsibilities, he says.

Have you checked in on California lately? (Friday, 1/30/98)
Shelley Donald Coolidge reports that the good times have returned to a state that has one of the world's largest economies after some tough years.

Fighting Medicare fraud (Friday, 1/30/98)
David Hilzenrath reports that an investigatory panel is finding plenty of cheating of the Medicare system, and millions of dollars are involved. Also in the Washington Post today, Portugal worries about the euro and European economic union and what they will mean for its identity... or its survival as a sovereign nation. Finally, William Branigin reports that Americans seem less threatened by immigrants now, so it may be time to soften the laws a bit.

The quiet revolution in China (Friday, 1/30/98)
China's not only shutting down a lot of money-losing state-run enterprises and putting millions of people out of work, it's also shrinking back its welfare state, according to Joseph Kahn in today's Wall Street Journal. For instance, the state is getting out of the support of pensions and health care in a big way. So, in what sense is China still a "communist" country, as opposed to one that is simply totalitarian?

Comparing child care proposals (Friday, 1/30/98)
Business Week looks at President Clinton's plan for making affordable child care available, and compares it to what the Republicans would like to do.

Korea consolidates its loans and gets an easy payment plan (Thursday, 1/29/98)
South Korea has managed to do what many individuals do when they have too many loan payments coming due too quickly. Svea Herbst-Bayliss of Reuters reports that the new deal just worked out should end the liquidity crisis that has threatened the once-surging South Korean economy. Here's Timothy O'Brien with more details on the extension of $24 billion in short-term loans. Finally, Edmund Andrews reports on the role that Germany's Deutsche Bank AG will be playing in helping to bring financial stability to the Asian region.

No, no, no debt moratorium, says Indonesian government (Thursday, 1/29/98)
Indonesia's top debt negotiator denies that his country is attempting to impose an overall debt moratorium. It's all temporary and voluntary he says, as Indonesia attempts to get its financial crisis under control, which includes a mountain of debt. Seth Mydans of the New York Times reports that the layoffs are beginning in Indonesia, and, in the long-run, the country's financial crisis could result in the loss of millions of jobs, and this could mean great instability throughout the country. Already, riots have broken out in some regions, and the Washington Post's Cindy Shiner Indonesia's Chinese minority is becoming increasingly worried.

How hard times in Russia have affected its youth (Thursday, 1/29/98)
One in three young potential conscripts have been turned down by the Russian military for health reasons. Oleg Shchedrov reports on the sad state of what once was the mighty Red Army, and also why military leaders are alarmed by the condition of the young people who are being called up.

Greenspan reports to Congress (Thursday, 1/29/98)
The man whom many say deserves the credit for the extraordinarily strong American economy, Federal Reserve head Alan Greenspan, is testifying in Congress today and tomorrow. He has already said that the effect of Asia's problems are beginning to wash up on American shores. Look for a significant slowing of the U.S. economy by late spring, he says.

Joblessness down last week in the U.S. (Thursday, 1/29/98)
The latest figures were the lowest in three months, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

What pulls young people to the White House as interns? (Thursday, 1/29/98)
Not the glamour of the work, in most cases, because glamorous most of it surely isn't. However, Mark Clayton wonders if the current scandal involving a former intern may sour young people on a public service career, like Watergate did in the 1970's. At this point, only two people in the United States know what, if anything, really happened at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but Kirstin Downey Grimsley of the Washington Post takes a general look at workplace romances involving a major power differential. Incidentally, the internships that draw so many students and recent grads to Washington are not the same as the White House Fellowships, which are paid positions mostly involving young people with post-graduate or professional training. In fact, the reference to Watergate has reminded us that it was as a White House Fellow that a young lawyer named John Dean first managed to get to Washington. Like many others, he stayed on in a permanent job.

Is your boss sitting alone on the plane? (Thursday, 1/29/98)
A new survey indicates that most people would rather sit by co-workers than by the boss on business travel.

Jobs to go at Compaq? Too soon to know, they say (Thursday, 1/29/98)
Company officials say they don't know yet what the employment impact may be of the merger between Compaq Computer Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation. They should know by late April or early May. Also from Reuters today, four U.S. Senators have introduced legislation that would renew several child food programs.

How states are responding to "welfare wanderers" (Thursday, 1/29/98)
Martha Andersson reports that an increasing number of people who change states are finding that the welfare rate from their former state applies to them. Also in the Christian Science Monitor this morning, an analysis of which of Clinton's State of the Union proposals have a chance of becoming reality. The President gave most emphasis to fixing Social Security, but Richard Stevenson of the New York Times says that the expected surplus won't be enough to do it. No matter what, though, we're not going to let Social Security go under, says Newsday's Robert Reno. Too many people have a stake in the system to allow that to happen, he says.

What's stalling the Syrian economy (Thursday, 1/29/98)
John Lancaster reports on how stalled peace talks and other political issues are putting the brakes on Syria's economy.

Big layoffs at NordicTrack (Thursday, 1/29/98)
The fitness product company has been having a hard time in a changed market, and about half of its Minnesota workforce will be laid off. This amounts to more than 400 people, and the jobs will be gone by September.

Increasing cost of higher ed angers students in Canada (Thursday, 1/29/98)
There were protests by students across Canada yesterday, including a sit-in at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Toronto.

Finding ways to control training costs via the Internet (Thursday, 1/29/98)
Here's the Nando Times' story about Rick Corry and LearnShare.

Minority applications up at University of California (Thursday, 1/29/98)
It's not what the California university expected, given the end of affirmative action . Also in the New York Times today, a boom in Dodge City, and it's attracting many immigrants.

New volunteer mentor program in Australia (Thursday, 1/29/98)
The Australian government will assign 1,000 jobless young people to volunteer mentors to help them find their way. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that it's part of the government's plan to shift the burden of unemployment away from itself and into communities.

Why you probably don't want to give your teenager a credit card (Thursday, 1/29/98)
In case you've been wondering if it's a good idea, here's some advice from the Kiplinger magazine.

An experimental program for making techs out of non-techs (Thursday, 1/29/98)
Like many other areas of the country and the world, the Washington, D. C. region has a shortage of people with technical skills. Here's news about a pilot program for retraining from Peter Behr in today's Washignton Post.

Much of State of the Union speech focuses on life in the new economy (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
President Clinton ignored his personal problems in his State of the Union speech last night, and, instead, focused on proposed budgetary items that he would like to become the cornerstone of his legacy, including increased access to training, an extension of Medicare to younger people, major funding for child care, and a long-term fix for Social Security. Eric Pianin of the Washington Post reports that both Republicans and Democrats seem cautiously enthusiastic about his plans for the latter. He also had quite a lot to say about the Asian crisis and why American should care about it. His call for more support for the International Monetary Fund drew a partisan response. Republicans mostly sat on their hands when he mentioned the IMF. In today's Wall Street Journal, John Harwood and Jackie Calmes indicate that Clinton displayed a decent loyalty to his own generation last night, focusing on issues of importance to the huge baby boomer generation as it ages.

J.C. Penney adjusts to the new realities (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
The company that was founded by the man who helped invent modern retailing hasn't been the market leader for years, although it's still the fifth largest retailer in the United States. Nonetheless, they've been struggling and have decided to "downsize," not only their operations, but also their workforce. Seventy-five stores will close; almost 5,000 jobs will evaporate. Apple Computer is also reorganizing in a move that will result in the loss of 300 jobs at Claris. Claris, an Apple company, will get rid of some products and become Filemaker, Inc.

Only 90% as many tech workers as needed now, and the gap widens (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
Information Week reports that 346,000 jobs for computer programmers, systems analysts and computer scientists remain unfilled in the United States, and the situation is getting worse. The president of the Information Technology Association of America says that the industry can't depend on universities to solve the problem, because that's not working.

Year of the Tiger, but not of the Asian tigers (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
There may be some irony in the fact that this is the "Year of the Tiger," given that Asian economies that used to be referred to as "tigers" have been having such a rough time. Nonetheless, Hong Kong is taking a deep breath, gritting its teeth, and is celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year anyway. The news from troubled Indonesia is mixed, to say the least. On the one hand, the condition of its financial markets has improved, and its currency has strengthened, but some rioting has been going on, and, as part of an effort to get things under control, the Indonesian government has suspended payments on its debts. Incidentally, Indonesia is mostly Muslim, and a religious celebration is underway. Cindy Shiner of the Christian Science Monitor examines the role that religion may play in helping to deal with the country's current crisis. Meanwhile, Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post has some thoughts about what it will take to rescue Asia, as a new debate begins in Congress over the proper role of the United States in all this. Finally, Henry Kaufman writes about Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin's recent remarks on what will be needed to prevent the next big global financial crisis.

Cheating scandal leads to the arrest of 20 persons (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
More than 13,000 legal immigrants had some help in falsifying their naturalization examinations over the past two years.

Tsinghua University transformed (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
The Christian Science Monitor's Kevin Platt tells how China has been attempting to make Tsinghua University into its "MIT" in order to train an elite for a China that is expected to be a 21st century superpower. However, the university's roots go back a century, and there has been a U.S. connection.

Study finds patients getting bolder (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
One effect of the "managed care" revolution in the United States seems to be less willingness on the part of patients to play a passive role and simply put their welfare in the hands of the HMOs. More questions are being asked.

New Orleans barge pilots threaten strike (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
The people who pilot the tugboats on the Mississippi and other major waterways aren't satisfied with their pay or recognition. Some have organized, and say they may consider simply staying home sometime soon, if their demands aren't met. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, Abraham McLaughlin writes about some new approaches to achieving diversity in higher education, now that affirmative action has been receding.

The long odds faced by Carey (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
Ron Carey is fighting a long-odds battle to remain in the Teamsters and to be the big union's next president as well as its present (or former) one. Frank Swoboda reports for the Washington Post. Also in the Post today, a federal judge turns down Merrill Lynch's effort to force arbitration on participants in a discrimination dispute, Rene Sanchez provides more information on the approaching NEA-AFT merger, Donald Baker tells about some Cuban civilians who work for the U.S. Navy ... and commute. Finally, the new IRS commissioner is taking the initiative in pushing through major reforms at the big American tax collection agency. Jacob M. Schlesinger writes in today's Wall Street Journal that his plan is likely to be released today.

Guess where recovery is occurring, despite everything (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
The Wall Street Journal's Steve Liesman reports today on the long, hard climb out of a big hole on the part of the Russian economy. Progress is occurring, despite on-going frustrations.

ILO to help Bahrain with its jobs program (Wednesday, 1/28/98)
The Gulf Daily reports that the International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations, is sending seven experts to Bahrain to help with its program to increase employment and prepare people for new jobs.

Prepare for good news from Clinton (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
President Clinton is constitutionally required to give a State of the Union speech tonight, but it's something he may be particularly eager to do, given the circumstances. Expect a record TV audience, but don't expect any reference to the latest Washington scandal. Instead, look for plenty of congratulations for his administration. Among other things, he's likely to talk about his child care plans. Congress has children on its mind too. In fact, here's news about two child care bills in the Senate. Also, expect the President to discuss his plans for using the surplus to fix Social Security. At least one major newspaper thinks he's on the right track. Will that surplus last? Sharon Schmickle of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says pressures are building to spend, spend, spend.

Jospin's U-turn an example of how economics is driving politics (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin seems to have become a born-again fiscal conservative, despite France's record unemployment. Here's why from today's Washington Post.

Teacher power (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
The largest labor union in the history of the United States may be about to happen. Steven Greenhouse reports that the NEA and AFT have a plan for merger. In other labor news, the AFL-CIO wants new legislation so that many more Americans will have health coverage. Expect much resistance from employers, because it would cost them.

Supreme Court gives go-ahead on age bias suits (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Here's the story from Reuters and Newsday.

Indonesia temporary halts debt payments (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Raju Gopalakrishnan reports that the Indonesian government is giving itself time to put broad reforms into place that are intended to fix its banking system. Meanwhile, today's Wall Street Journal reports that many individuals and companies that are able to leave Indonesia are in the process of doing so.

Trans-Siberian railway blocked by angry miners (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Russian miners aren't mad about not being paid enough. Instead, they're mad about not being paid at all, for months. Seven months, in fact.

Job cuts at Black & Decker (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Black & Decker will eliminate 3,000 jobs as part of a restructuring plan. Also, here's more on the big job cuts at AT&T. Ronald Smothers of the New York Times reports on how workers at the big telecommunications company are receiving the news.

More outside workers need to protect themselves (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Not enough people who work outdoors are using sun blocker, according to a new study.

Know any good languages? (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
The Christian Science Monitor's Mark Clayton writes about the shortage of computer programmers, and also reports on how American companies are searching for programming talent in neighboring Canada. Ruth Morris of Reuters says that, given the overall shortage of programmers, this isn't a good time to have the "year 2000 problem," but we've got it, nonetheless.

Peace Corps experience as career prep (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Kitty Thuermer says that some people regard Peace Corps experience to be a career liability, but they shouldn't. Here's why.

1997 was a good year for wages and benefits (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Wages and benefits increased 3.3 percent in the United States last year, the best in quite a while.

Proposed tobacco settlement angers some flight attendants (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Flight attendants concerned with second-hand smoke in their work environments aren't happy that a proposed settlement would mean that would give lawyers $49 million for fees and expenses, but that's not all they're distressed about.

Here's news: unemployment isn't just a "capitalist thing" (Tuesday, 1/27/98)
Renee Schoof writes in the Miami Herald about unemployment in China and how it's coming as a shock to a lot of people. It's a big shock too, because millions of people are affected, as China shuts down money-losing state-run enterprises.

Second strike to hit Greece tomorrow (Monday, 1/26/98)
Socialist leaders in Greece are criticizing the government's strict economic policies a day before a second all-union strike is scheduled to begin. The government is trying to qualify for the European common currency. Unions are trying to force a change in plans for a new law that would allow the government to change personnel regulations in order to cut costs at state companies without consultation with the unions, according to Imerisia.

A deepening crisis that isn't in Asia and isn't in Washington (Monday, 1/26/98)
Here's Andrew Borowiec's Washington Times report on the growing crisis in France over stubborn unemployment.

Is Asia being colonized...again? (Monday, 1/26/98)
David Francis of the Christian Science Monitor tells about what's different in the IMF rescue plans that have been arranged for several Asian countries. He reports that David DeRosa of Yale University is saying that it amounts to a loss of sovereignty for countries like Indonesia and South Korea. Incidentally, ethnic Chinese residents of Indonesia fear that they may become scapegoats in that country's mess. Here's a report from today's New York Times.

AT&T profits down, and you know what that means (Monday, 1/26/98)
AT&T is reporting reduced profits today, and this may mean a new round of restructuring and job cuts.

A strong economy hasn't helped close the health gap (Monday, 1/26/98)
American minorities have persistently higher rates of illness and death, despite economic good times and some progress in other areas, according to Peter Kilborn. Also in the New York Times today, Judith Miller reports that a strong stock market has bumped the Ford Foundation from its long-time number-one position in philanthropy, and Richard Stevenson says to expect President Clinton to announce in his State of the Union speech that he wants to use the surplus to fix Social Security.

Religious discrimination suits on the increase (Monday, 1/26/98)
Sondra Meyer Raile of the Kansas City Business Journal reports on growing concern with religious discrimination in the American workplace.

The "American dream" is a nightmare for many in the Northern Marianas (Monday, 1/26/98)
Terry McCarthy reports from Saipan for the Time Daily on sweatshops and worse in an American possession.

Unemployment up at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Monday, 1/26/98)
Joblessness at the big airport increased 7.2 percent last year, which was twice the rate at which unemployment grew throughout the country. Algemeen Dagblad reports that 46,519 people were employed at the airport as of last October.

Advice on dealing with annoying co-workers (Monday, 1/26/98)
First, proceed with caution, says the Washington Post's Steven Ginsberg. He also presents some advice from the experts. Also in the Post today, Peter Behr suggests you take regional unemployment data with "a grain of salt." For practice, here's Newsday's report on unemployment in various parts of New York. Incidentally, we've already reported on why joblessness seems to be so high in New York City. The numbers reflect people who are looking for work, and the city's high rate of job creation recently has been attracting a lot of people from other areas.

Is Clinton targeting stay-at-home moms? (Monday, 1/26/98)
President Clinton would like to spend $21.7 billion on child care, which, under ordinary circumstances, might be enough to put him on the front page. At the moment, though, it's not what has Clinton on so many people's minds. Interestingly, though, Barbara Vobejda reports that some critics are interpreting his plan as discouragement for mothers who would otherwise stay at home and care for their own children.

Russian tax forms make April 15 look good in the U.S. (Monday, 1/26/98)
Brian Humphreys reports that the personal tax form is 13 pages long in Russia, which may be one more thing that discourages people from paying their taxes. Russia has a major problem in tax collection. The government collects only about half of what is owed, according to reports.

Why Larry Bossidy likes to fill management jobs internally (Monday, 1/26/98)
The new head of Allied Signal Corporation thinks that betting on people is a sure thing. Here's Sherwood Ross' story from Long Island's Newsday.

Workers told to get out of Qatar by February 2 (Monday, 1/26/98)
A conflict between Egypt and Qatar has resulted in the expulsion of 74 Egyptian workers. They have to be out by February 2, according to El Akhbar.

Expect a messy trial at General Motors later in the year, writer says (Monday, 1/26/98)
Jane Daugherty of the Detroit News writes about allegations that GM management has covered up sexual harassment and death threats at a GM plant in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Big Scandinavian construction company to cut workforce (Monday, 1/26/98)
Skanska AB may cut as many as 3,000 jobs, which would amount to about 15 percent of its workforce in Sweden. Dagens Industri has the story today.

The long shadow cast by the Clinton scandal (Sunday, 1/25/98)
The number-one topic of conversation in Washington right now may be limiting the ability of the United States to provide leadership in fixing Asia's economic problems. However, Knut Engelmann writes that it isn't the only reason that some U.S. plans aren't getting unequivocal support. Also, Linda Sieg reports that a House of Representatives committee is urging Japan to conduct reforms that could help solve the larger Asian problem.

Meanwhile, Japan and the International Monetary Fund are getting their heads together on Indonesia. Overall, the financial problems in Asia have made the U.S. dollar much more expensive than it was only weeks or months ago, which means that Asian purchasing power has been significantly degraded, not only for individuals, but also for institutional investors and companies. Look for this to result in a major shifting of ownership of key assets in many of these countries, as foreign investors rush in to buy at fire sale prices.

Finally, here's news from China: The New York Times reports that millions--that's MILLIONS--of people being laid off from failed state-owned factories in China. China's oil industry is also having its problems. In fact, today's Nando Times reports that the China Daily Business Weekly is saying that key industry could be facing collapse. Incidentally, the China Daily most certainly is not a member of the world's free press. However, you can count on its accurately reporting what the Chinese government would like you to hear.

Clinton offers more plans for reducing Medicare costs (Sunday, 1/25/98)
Washington's latest sex scandal isn't taking all of the President's time. Randall Mikkelsen reports on Clinton's latest proposal for reducing the cost of Medicare. Look for more in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday.

News from the front (Sunday, 1/25/98)
Kirstin Downey Grimsley isn't ordinarily a war correspondent, but, this time, she reports on how work settings have become battlefields. Does a co-worker have you in his/her sights? Also in today's Washington Post, nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn tells how to keep a reverse mortgage from turning into a personal reversal. Finally, Steven Ginsberg says the suggestion box is making a comeback.

In search of an MBA (Sunday, 1/25/98)
The venerable Master of Biz Administration degree will cost you time and money, and not all MBAs are regarded equally in the practical work world. Here's some help in navigating the treacherous business school waters. Also from Newsday's columnists today: Lisa Doll Bruno tells about how it would be to become a floral designer, and Carrie Mason-Draffen provides more information about the hazards of workplace smoking violations.

Americans and saving (Sunday, 1/25/98)
Americans behave as thought they believe they can spend themselves rich. It may not work for individuals, but a high level of spending can stimulate the larger economy. If you believe what is true of the part is also true of the whole, you may be committing what Nobel Laureate economist Paul Samuelson has called "the fallacy of composition." The American economy is leading the world right now, even though Americans tend to save less than other people, but scientists will also tell you to be wary of assuming that a correlation necessarily means a causal relationship. Nonetheless, many Americans think they really should be saving more, and the Congressional Quarterly's Jonathan Weisman has some thoughts on that issue.

$2 billion for social programs in Pakistan (Sunday, 1/25/98)
It's part grant, part loan, and it comes from the World Bank. Agreement has just been reached, according to the Nando Times. Meanwhile, social spending in the United States has shifted away from government sources and more in the direction of private donors. The New York Times' David Cay Johnston writes that United Ways in the U.S. are reporting increased contributions.

The cost of stress (Sunday, 1/25/98)
Work-related stress doesn't come cheap, according to a new report. David Humphries and Julie Delvecchio have the story from the Sydney Morning Herald.

Depression in Syria (Sunday, 1/25/98)
While it may not qualify as a full-blown economic depression, Syria's dismal economic condition surely seems to be causing quite a lot of psychological depression. Douglas Jehl reports. Also in the New York Times today, Steven Greenhouse examines the import of Ron Carey's recent testimony as he struggles to save, not only his job, but also his membership in the Teamsters. Melinda Henneberger reports on the difficult transition that many are experiencing after being "downsized out" of the American military. Laura Koss-Feder finds fewer perks in the executive ranks, Jay Romano tells how a District Court ruling changes things when it comes to evictions in New York City, and Sandeep Junnarkar says that an increasing number of physicians are getting their continuing medical education on-line.

What's the third-largest workforce in Pennsylvania? (Sunday, 1/25/98)
Here's today's Philadelphia Inquirer story about the vast multitude of people working in supermarkets. Among other things, it means that the new economy isn't entirely hi-tech.

Pilots want higher pay (Sunday, 1/25/98)
It's not airline pilots this time, but pilots on the old Mississippi River. Here's the story from the Sun Herald in New Orleans.

Supreme Court may clarify criteria for sexual harassment suits (Saturday, 1/24/98)
Can a woman sue for sexual harassment if she has not submitted to unwanted sexual advances and has not suffered adverse employment consequences? The Supreme Court will hear a case that may clarify things. Here's the story from Reuters and the Washington Post. Meanwhile, ABC News reports that employers are scrambling to obtain sexual harassment insurance coverage.

Big cuts at Raytheon (Saturday, 1/24/98)
Raytheon intends to cut about eight percent of its workforce, which will amount to 9,700 jobs. AT&T has far larger cuts planned, as we have reported. In part, their intention is to thin out management ranks which are overpopulated.

What the Asian crisis could mean to American workers (Saturday, 1/24/98)
A new report from the Economic Policy Institute says that economic problems in Asia could cost a million American jobs. In Asia itself, the biggest immediate problems are still in Indonesia where the slide of the rupiah has created a foreign debt problem of mountainous proportions. In Thailand, where Asian financial problems began nearly six months ago, labor unrest persists, and U.S. officials are warning that it may scare off the foreign investment that the country will need for its recovery. Hong Kong is having its problems too, including increased unemployment. But, the new edition of Business Week claims that it is a mistake to assume that Asian economic successes during recent years are without substantive basis. Asia is no "house of cards," says the big biz mag.

Psychological factors influence productivity (Saturday, 1/24/98)
Worker self-esteem influences productivity and earnings, according to a report in Economic Inquiry. The authors underscore the importance of investing in human capital.

Clinton's plan for private pensions (Saturday, 1/24/98)
President Clinton won't be talking about the latest White House scandal in his State of the Union speech Tuesday, but he is expected to talk about pensions. He wants to strengthen and extend private pensions as part of an overall solution that will also involve an effort to secure the Social Security system for the future.

Getting together on child care (Saturday, 1/24/98)
President Clinton is also expected to address the broad issue of child care in his State of the Union speech. Meanwhile, Maggie Jackson writes in the Detroit News about how employers are providing their support to child care centers in their communities.

Unnecessary prescriptions (Saturday, 1/24/98)
Millions of dollars are spent on unnecessary prescriptions and charged to the Medicaid program, according to a new report.

A new minimum wage increase may be on the horizon (Saturday, 1/24/98)
This might be a good time to raise the minimum wage again, some think. Buying power for those on the bottom of the pay scale has eroded considerably over the years.

The bad news is that there is no good news, when it comes to doing your own taxes this year (Saturday, 1/24/98)
Tax law changes in the U.S. have made things more complicated, and you may want some help this time around. Tax prep software may be a good idea.

Largest casino targeted by union organizers (Saturday, 1/24/98)
Lots of people work at the huge Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, and, so far, they are not organized. Union leaders would like to change that.

Barbarians in suits (Friday, 1/23/98)
Wall Street doesn't appear to be a friendly place for women to work, according to testimony provided at a hearing conducted by New York Attorney General Vacco. Women are routinely subjected to harassment in the extreme, according to some who work in small to medium sized brokerage firms. Their testimony suggests that the "respectable" white-collar work world contains a significant number of thugs with university degrees, suggesting, also, that American higher education isn't having the civilizing influence that seems to be part of its job. Vaco is looking into gender bias on the big financial street, and doesn't think a proposal that would make it easier for stock brokers to sue for employment discrimination goes far enough.

Another dangerous place to work (Friday, 1/23/98)
Most parents wouldn't want their young daughters to work in "Joe's All-Night Joint," because of the obvious hazards. But, is the White House also a place you wouldn't want to send your daughter? The lead story in most American newspapers and many others around the world today concerns new misconduct allegations involving President Clinton. Yes, hard as it may be to believe, we are actually talking about the President of the United States in all this. If any of the half-dozen or more things that have been swirling around Mr. Clinton for years are true, it calls for serious head-scratching. How can a man who is so spectacularly bright, talented, and effective in much of his work, well, have all these things swirling around him? It's discouraging, considering that there still seem to be a great many honorable men who manage to get through eighty or ninety years of life without being accused of anything by anybody, and probably really are almost exactly what they hope they appear to be.

Linda Feldmann writes in today's Christian Science Monitor how the new odoriferous breezes blowing out of the White House are raising the stakes for President Clinton. The newest scandal threatens far more than the President's reputation. For one thing, it appears that, at long last, he intends to make a genuine long-term fix of the American Social Security system a major part of his legacy. If he is weakened politically by all the tabloid garbage, this may not be possible. Of course, while it's too early to think much about it, if the President has actually been involved in illegality, it could bring down his presidency and weaken the institution of the presidency itself. This would unbalance the great Constitutional separation of powers that has been key to American success over two centuries. That's the nightmare scenario.

Take another aspirin, and we'll tell you about Asia (Friday, 1/23/98)
Things have gotten worse again today across much of the region. Here's Paul Blustein and Steve Pearlstein's article from today's Washington Post. In particular, the Indonesian currency continues its downward spiral, as Dean Yates reports for Reuters. Seth Mydans of the New York Times provides more details, and Paul Blustein of the Washington Post tells how Indonesia's financial meltdown is affecting its workers. Bet you're able to guess. Meanwhile, American officials are leaning on Japan a little harder in order to encourage the Japanese to do more to bring stability to the Asian part of the globe. Japan has its own troubles, but its economy is more than twice as large as all the other Asian economies put together, so its ability to influence things can be considerable. The U.S. has been pushing quite a bit in South Korea too, and Mary Jordan writes that there are growing fears of a backlash. Finally, here's more on how the Asian mess is beginning to affect the American heartland.

Garlic dust on the job can lead to asthma (Friday, 1/23/98)
The research report appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Here's the story from Reuters.

Why isn't New York worried about its high unemployment? (Friday, 1/23/98)
New York City has an 8.7 percent unemployment rate, but it's a good sign, not a bad one. Reason: the big city's job creation engine is galvanizing people at home who had given up and also attracting job seekers from other states.

Minorities and women getting ahead their own way (Friday, 1/23/98)
Diversity may be just a word within the management ranks of many large corporations, but the number of new businesses started by minorities and women continues to increase.

Skepticism about Mr. Carey's claims of ignorance (Friday, 1/23/98)
Many people don't believe that Ron Carey became President of the Teamsters by being dull and ignorant, and a panel in Washington is indicating skepticism about his testimony. Here's the story from Long Island's Newsday as well as from Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times.

More airline jobs may fly into the Twin Cities (Friday, 1/23/98)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines are intending to integrate their operations to a greater extent, and this could mean more jobs in Minnesota's metropolitan area.

Sweeney wants to organize workers in Mexico (Friday, 1/23/98)
U.S. companies operate a lot of big manufacturing plants just below the U.S. border, and the AFL-CIO's president is looking for help in organizing them. Here's the story the Nando Times and today's New York Times.

Job cuts at Life magazine (Friday, 1/23/98)
Life magazine is reorganizing, and the departure of about a third of its editorial staff is part of the plan.

It's easier to keep up on employment law now (Friday, 1/23/98)
Thanks to the Internet, it's easier to stay in touch with law affecting life in the American workplace. Career Magazine tells about the major governmental web sites.

Throw away boomers (Friday, 1/23/98)
A lot of boomers are being wasted in the new economy, writes Louise Martin in Melbourne's The Age.

Big job cuts coming at AT&T (Thursday, 1/22/98)
It is expected that 19,000 people will be laid off at AT&T. An official announcement is expected next week.

Sinking, sinking, sinking (Thursday, 1/22/98)
The Indonesian currency is still on its way down, but Asian stock markets, for the most part, seem to be holding up today. South Africa's Financial Mail says the Asian currency crisis is a horror story that just won't go away, despite the bailouts, which, incidentally, U.S. officials are still defending. However, here's one member of the Administration who sees, not only an economic crisis, but also a crisis of leadership. Laura D'Andrea Tyson writes in today's Washington Post. Hong Kong, which, for a time, seemed insulated from the events throughout the region, is insulated no longer. Today's Nando Times reports on cracking confidence in the former British colony.

U.S. opposes part of South Korea's austerity plan (Thursday, 1/22/98)
South Korea has to cut back on spending in order to meet the terms of its IMF bailout agreement, but the U.S. doesn't think this should include defense, given the dangerous situation on the peninsula.

Guess who's out to buy much of Asia (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Taiwan is out shopping, and finding bargain prices. Keith Richburg of the Washington Post says intentions aren't purely economic. Much on Taiwan's mind is the long-term political struggle with China, and increased economic leverage will mean more influence throughout the region.

Former employees bring suit against failed Japanese bank (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Nine former employees say they were deprived of benefits due them because they did not stick with Hanwa Bank during rough times.

Most U.S. regions affected by Asian crisis (Thursday, 1/22/98)
A new government report indicates that the U.S. economy has not been unaffected by events in Asia, but it's still strong. Here's more on the Federal Reserve report from John Berry of the Washington Post.

Get ready for more Washington news about health care (Thursday, 1/22/98)
President Clinton can expect plenty of opposition to his "patients' bill of rights" proposals, and the battle-lines are being drawn. One key issue is cost.

One reason for trouble in the Russian economy (Thursday, 1/22/98)
One Russian "robber baron" tells how it's done, and what happened to a lot of state-owned assets.

How standardized tests are making a difference in a post-affirmative action academic world (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Today's Christian Science Monitor says that the experience of California and Texas law schools has not been representative of advanced education generally. The law schools rely more on standardized tests scores in the admission process, they say. One question is how well the test scores correlate with school performance, but a more basic question is how well they correlate with real-world performance following graduation. Hint: many of history's most outstanding performers in many fields haven't gone to college at all.

University enrollment problems in Australia (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Luis Garcia reports in the Sydney Morning Herald that fewer Australians are deciding to go to college, and this is putting many universities in a bind. Selection standards are being reduced in order to fill the classrooms, he says. He also reports that there aren't a lot of takers for a very expensive "prestige degree." Finally, Stephanie Raethel writes about what one university is doing in its effort to attract bright students.

Jospin stands firm in France (Thursday, 1/22/98)
The Washington Post's Anne Swardson reports that French Prime Minister Jospin has told his nation that budgets must be kept under control and that the unemployed must be patient.

Fed workers can't lie, Supreme Court says (Thursday, 1/22/98)
The American Supreme Court has decided unanimously that federal workers must tell the truth when possible job-related misconduct is being investigated.

Government workers strike in Greece (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Greece's largest labor union is unhappy with a proposed law that would reduce the union's role in restructuring public utilities. The strike is intended to last for 24 hours. Meanwhile, the Greek government insists that it will go ahead with the law, according to Kathimerini today.

Now, he's fighting just to stay in the Teamsters (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Is he "President Carey" or "Ex-President Carey?" He's been on unpaid leave, so you decide. Ron Carey testified yesterday before a panel that could expel him, not only from his job, but from the union itself.

Unions in a post-apartheid South Africa (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Here's a Financial Mail story telling how South African labor unions are coping with realities.

California bills intend to help older workers (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Nick Budnick writes in Cal Law about two bills that take different approaches to reversing a Supreme Court decision last October. As it stands now, companies can fire more expensive employees in order to replace them with less expensive ones.

Workers migrate from Haiti to the Dominican Republic (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Michael Norton writes for the Miami Herald about impoverished Haitians who want to harvest sugar cane and also want a change in a treaty that allows exploitation by sugar plantations.

The high cost of sick days (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Australian workers tend to miss work a lot, and not necessarily because they're ill, according to a new report.

Are your well-made plans at risk? How secure is your job? (Thursday, 1/22/98)
Pat Stevens of Career Magazine writes about being alert to the signs and what you can do to "tame workplace monsters."

Gore opposes genetic testing in the workplace (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Some fear that genetic testing could lead to workplace discrimination, and the American Vice-President is one of them. Incidentally, USA Today says you shouldn't assume privacy on the job, and Mary Curtius of the Los Angeles Times says that employers have a legal right to regulate your Internet use at work.

South African mine workers work to protect jobs (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
For thousands of years, gold has been the fundamental standard and repository of value. However, something genuinely historic may be happening in the revolutionary new world economy. South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers is briefing world financial leaders on the gold crisis as part of a campaign to save the jobs of miners. Business Day has the story this morning.

Labor violence in Thailand (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
The Thai government has warned against further violent protests as labor unrest relating to the country's economic problems escalates.

Indonesia descends deeper into its economic pit (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Raju Gopalakrishnan reports for Reuters on Indonesia's economic crisis that is also becoming a political crisis. Sander Thoenes of the Christian Science Monitor says that experts from the IMF and other places see a need to get rid of Asia's "crony capitalism," which has been a large part of the problem in that region.

Sit-in postponed in Lebanon (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
An-Nahar reports this morning that the morning session of the budget debate in the Lebanese parliament was canceled, so a planned sit-in by members of the General Labor Confederation will likely be postponed.

Opposition organizes against IMF funding in Washington (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
The International Monetary Fund has been sending out a lot of very big checks lately, and needs to have its funds replenished. President Clinton supports its actions and wants the U.S. to pay up. Not all in Congress agree, and a big fight is brewing. Incidentally, among the nations needing IMF assistance is Zimbabwe, according to Robert Rotberg. Not all of the needy nations are in Asia at the moment.

American banks need to learn from Asian crisis too, Fed official says (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Even the world's strongest economy at the moment should take a cue from what has happened to the "Asian tigers," says Federal Reserve official Gary Stern. Banks should be discouraged from taking excessive risks.

What about layoffs in South Korea? (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Don Kirk of the Washington Post says that a new agreement skirts the main issues, but the Nando Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer report that South Korean labor unions have agreed to do their part by accepting some job cuts. A million people could be laid off eventually.

Talks fail; strike to go ahead in Greece (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
The Greek government has decided to go ahead with changes in personnel regulations in state-owned companies. The General Confederation of Greek Workers intends to conduct a 24-hour strike tomorrow, according to Kathimerini.

Carey's latest effort to save his job (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Teamsters President Ron Carey's lawyers argued yesterday at a hearing that he knew nothing about the campaign scandal within his ranks.

Professional and managerial workers not at greater risk for breast cancer, new report claims (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
A new study conducted by researchers at the State University of New York contradicts earlier findings. Incidentally, when scientific studies contradict one another, it doesn't mean that we should despair of the utility of research. Evidence for the power of the scientific method in leading to genuine knowledge can be seen in nearly everything surrounding us in modern life. Contradictory findings simply mean that additional research is needed in order to explain the different findings. Stay tuned.

No constitutional right to strike in Switzerland (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Tages-Anzeiger reports that Switzerland's upper house of parliament has turned down a constitutional amendment that would have given employees a formal right to strike.

What on earth can a president do when things are going well? (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
President Clinton risks becoming a footnote in history because things are going well on his watch. Would Franklin Roosevelt be remembered as a great president if there had been no Great Depression and no World War II? Skip Thurman of the Christian Science Monitor explains.

Professor loses bias case (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
A Vassar professor sued her college for bias. The Supreme Court has decided not to hear her case. Here's more from today's Nando Times. Also relating to education, today's Wall Street Journal reports on progress on the planned merger between the NEA and the MFT. Also, 1,400 health professionals haven't been paying off their student loans, and the feds are angry. The medical people have been removed from the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and you can look up your doctor on the Internet to see if s/he is a deadbeat.

How tolerant can Russians remain under the circumstances? (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
The London Observer's James Meek wonders how much it takes for Russians to riot. How long it's been since many have been paid should make us wonder. On the other hand, some Russians, particularly those with a strong entrepreneurial streak, have been doing quite well, and the Russian economy has finally started a modest expansion.

OECD says Spain needs to further strengthen its economy to qualify for the common currency (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development tells Spain to reform its pensions, reduce public spending, and do more to reform its labor market. The OECD feels that pension reform is particularly urgent if the country is to participate in the European common currency. Gaceta de los Negocios has the story today.

Is a working spouse good for your career? (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
A new study says yes. Earlier studies have said no. In any case, Timothy Burn of the Washington Times reports that working couples want more time for their families.

French Prime Minister faces down demonstrators (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Prime Minister Jospin is trying to hang tough in order to keep budgets under control and qualify for participation in an increasingly unified Europe in order to enjoy the economic benefits of unity in the long-run. In the meantime, more pressure from France's multitude of unemployed is likely to be felt. He says no increase in aid for the jobless.

It may become easier to attend Princeton University (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
The great New Jersey university is changing its financial aid formulas, and many of the non-rich should benefit.

Communications workers join forces in Denmark (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Employees from Ameritech Corporation of the U.S., Denmark's Tele Danmark A/S, and Belgium Belgacom are developing an alliance to aid their efforts to obtain higher wages and improved education, reports Borsen.

Fewer than 10 million on welfare now (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
That's the smallest number since 1971, and the Clinton administration may be willing to take credit. Also in the Times today, most people in the American military want to see a greater degree of integration of the sexes during training.

New sex equity law needed, EOC says (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
BBC News reports that women still make 20 percent less than men, and that the Equal Opportunities Commission wants a new "super law" to make things right.

More long-term unemployed in Australia (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
The number of long-term jobless has increased sharply in Australia. Here's the story from today's Sydney Morning Herald.

A "no lay-off" deal at Opel (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Smaller raises will be exchanged for no layoffs for five years. Jobs will be eliminated by attrition. Here's the story from today's Detroit News.

Asian crisis hits students in the U.S. (Wednesday, 1/21/98)
Many Asian currencies buy a lot fewer American dollars than they used to, and this is having a major impact on some foreign students in the United States.

Deal struck at UPS (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
United Parcel Service has reached a tentative agreement with its pilots. Here's the story from Reuters and the Washington Post.

Union protests tax increases in Lebanon (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Lebanon's 1998 budget bill includes tax increases, and the General Labour Confederation says it will protest Thursday by staging a sit-in at the Lebanese parliament, according to Ad-Diyar.

How to get a day off in Cuba (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Workers in Cuba are getting time off so that they can turn out for the Pope in big numbers.

Workers lack proper visas for a quarter century (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
A Bahraini court is trying two Iranian men for working in Bahrain for 25 years without a visa. The Gulf Daily News has the story.

Alternative views on Russian progress (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Officials of the IMF and U.S. Treasury are cheered by economic developments in Russia, but some Russian government reformers don't seem so enthusiastic or confident, following a rebuke from President Yeltsin.

Job losses because of international tensions (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Egypt and Qatar are having their difficulties with one another, and one of the consequences has been the dismissal of more than 100 Egyptian workers in Qatar. El Ahram reports this morning that the Egyptian foreign minister has filed a protest.

Portugeuse social security system produces a surplus (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
According to Diario de Noticias, Portugal's social security system took in more money last year and spent less than had been budgeted. Economic growth in the country is credited, as well as the government's amnesty plan for tax and social security debtors which resulted in a return of 70,000 contributors to the system.

More stagnation forecast for Japan (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
The Nando Times reports that the Bank of Japan expects more stagnation and vulnerability for the Japanese economy. In neighboring South Korea, the President-elect is not promising any quick fixes, and tells his countrymen to expect some hard times ahead. A little further to the west, the world's most popular country is learning that unemployment and capitalism sometimes go together. Usually, it's because of the business cycle, but, in the case of China, much has to do with the still unfinished business of getting rid of failed state-run firms. Here's the story from Erik Eckholm of the New York Times.

Incidentally, what was responsible for Asia's boom before it went bust? Demographics had something to do with it, according to Jonathan Marshall in the San Francisco Chronicle. Short-term problems can be fixed, he says, but Asia has a longer-term problem: its aging population.

Finally, as if to emphasize the growing integration of global economics with its politics, America's foreign minister--in the U.S. called the Secretary of State--defends the IMF bailouts.

Washington politicians get ready for another fight over health care (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
You might have expected little to change, given that the Clinton White House's efforts to rebuild the American health care system several years ago went nowhere. Not so. During the time since, nearly everything has changed. "Managed care" has moved to a position of dominance on the American scene, and there are growing cries for more regulation. A fight is brewing in Washington. Meanwhile, Milt Freudenheim writes about how managed care has moved into the American workplace in a big way. Finally, Robert Pear reports that insurance experts are skeptical of President Clinton's claim that an extension of the Medicare program to younger people would pay for itself.

Job cuts at Payless Cashways (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Sales are down at Payless Cashways, so 175 jobs will go.

Semen quality related to occupation (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Stress factors, as well as the possibility of workplace exposures, may be responsible for the lower sperm count found among men in some occupations, according to a report in Fertility and Sterility. Here's the story from Reuters this morning.

The study of a quaint, if not "primitive" culture (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Anthropologists have found a new culture of special interest, with its own rites, rituals, and native dances. It's the culture of Silicon Valley.

Prime minister caught between a rock and a hard rock (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
France's prime minister has one of the more difficult jobs at the moment. He has to keep budgets under control if his county is to have any hope of being part of the European common currency and also part of a more integrated European economy after that. On the other hand, France's unemployed are turning up the pressure. Here's one story of one unemployed French mother and her family from Peter Ford of the Christian Science Monitor. Incidentally, Edmund Andrews reports on how Asia's problems are beginning to slow things in Europe.

You've heard of "downsizing;" now how about "downshifting?" (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Hal Lancaster writes in today's Wall Street Journal who are deliberately attempting to bring more balance to their lives by reducing their careers.

Getting there can be half the battle (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Lornet Turnbull of the Columbus Dispatch tells about how employers are trying to help feel find a way to get to work.

Is an employee by any other name all the same to the IRS? (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Not on your life. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Rosland Briggs tells about the difficulty in determining if a person is an "employee" or an "independent contractor."

Here's a place to start if you're wondering about paying for college (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune offers some help for those who are trying to recover from college "sticker shock."

Hedrick Smith's new series on the global economy (Tuesday, 1/20/98)
Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times journalist Hedrick Smith is independent now, and he's made the revolutionary new world economy his beat. His new series, "Surviving the Bottom-Line," is beginning to run on PBS television stations around the United States.

Stocks up dramatically in Asia (Monday, 1/19/98)
Investor confidence seems to be strengthening rapidly, as an increasing number of financial people around the world become convinced that the Asian crisis is coming under permanent control. Nonetheless, fallout continues, including the imminent prospect of major job losses in South Korea. However, President-elect Kim's task force is preparing plans for a safety net to make things a bit easier on affected individuals. Layoffs have already occurred at Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific airline. Things seem worst in Indonesia. The New York Times' David Sanger reports on inflation and rumors, both of which threaten to get out of control. Incidentally, here's news on how many people around the world are relying on the Internet in order to keep track of events in Asia.

Workers march in protest in Switzerland (Monday, 1/19/98)
Twelve-hundred employees of Boehringer Mannheim GmbH protest in Basel. Their German-owned company is about to be taken over by Roche Holding AG, and job cuts are planned, according to Basler Zeitung.

Progress at UPS (Monday, 1/19/98)
A second strike at UPS may be avoided. United Parcel Service and its pilots may be near agreement. In other labor news, former President Carter has offered to help in the lingering dispute between farm workers and tomato growers.

A new kind of memory aid (Monday, 1/19/98)
Randi Feigenbaum writes about a service that will call you to remind you of important dates and appointments.

Dramatic increase in the number of job seekers in Israel (Monday, 1/19/98)
The number of people looking for work in Israel increased by nearly 20 percent during 1997, according to the Jeruselum Post. Also in the Post today, an editorial look at another country's unemployment problems, in this case France.

Big loan for tech training in Lebanon (Monday, 1/19/98)
AN-Nahar reports that Lebanon is borrowing $63 million from the World Bank to strengthen technical training programs.

Think you've got a dirty job? (Monday, 1/19/98)
Rick Bragg of the New York Times tells about the end of one of the hottest jobs in the world. Also in the Times today, Senate Majority Leader Lott opposes Clinton's plan for extending Medicare to younger people.

Job seeking on the Internet (Monday, 1/19/98)
An increasing number of people are finding the Internet to be an indispensable tool in finding just the right position. Rebecca Smullin offers some examples.

Florida's doing very well, thank you (Monday, 1/19/98)
Gregg Fields of the Miami Herald reports on very good economic times in the Sunshine State, including lots of job creation. How will the Asian mess affect things there? Nobody really knows.

Health care alternative recommended for Portugal (Monday, 1/19/98)
According to Diario Economico, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recommends that all Portuguese residents be able to leave the state health system if they choose. Private insurance should be an option, according the OECD's report.

French employment protests gaining momentum as well as participants (Sunday, 1/18/98)
Yesterday was a big day for protests in France. Thousands marched throughout the country in order to express their frustration and anger over France's high rate of unemployment and the plight of the long-term unemployed. Here are more details from today's New York Times.

Careful of home equity loans, Quinn says (Sunday, 1/18/98)
Nationally syndicated columnist Jane Bryant Quinn reports that most experts say there are very few conditions under which you should take out a large home equity loan. However, for the elderly, a reverse mortgage might be a good idea, writes Newsday's Lynn Brenner in her "Family Finance" column. In other Newsday columns today, Lisa Doll Bruno describes a very new kind of occupation you may want to consider: online content manager. Carrie Mason-Draffen advises a correspondent on what can be done if a company isn't smoke free when it seems legally required to be. Finally, in her "Fast Track" column, Patricia Kitchen tells about a consultant who is helping "cold fish interviewers" warm up before they're thrown off the hook by job applicants who have other options in a hot job market.

Help in penetrating the "glass ceiling" (Sunday, 1/18/98)
The Washington Post's Steven Ginsberg tells about the International Women's Forum Leadership Foundation Fellows Program.

Equipment fraud in Medicare (Sunday, 1/18/98)
The Medicare program was billed for more than a half billion dollars worth of medical equipment last year for which American taxpayers should not be picking up the tab, according to Judith Havemann's report. Federal officials are going after the money and the people who have been responsible. Meanwhile, the Medicare Advisory Committee says it will open its meetings to the public.

The big move toward casual dress in the workplace (Sunday, 1/18/98)
The traditional "business uniform" is fading from the American work scene, according to a new study. For some, this trend complicates things.

MBAs back in demand (Sunday, 1/18/98)
Would an MBA degree be a good investment for you? Not so long ago, many would have advised against it, but demand has picked up again. At least if your degree is from one of a few top business schools.

Who's running South Korea? (Sunday, 1/18/98)
Who's in charge? The President-elect seems to be, and he says that his country isn't out of the woods yet. Default could still happen, so Mr. Kim is making a big push for more foreign investment. Speaking of Asian economic crises, the New York Times' David Sanger tells how the meltdown in Indonesia has been affecting people there and elsewhere, and what the future may hold.

New reason to doubt Mr. Carey (Sunday, 1/18/98)
A variety of new documents will be introduced in next Tuesday's hearing on whether Teamsters Present Ron Carey should be removed from office.

The latest from the Citadel and VMI (Sunday, 1/18/98)
More women are scheduled to be matriculated at the Citadel, while the first women enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute has withdrawn.

Foreign workers who don't need visas (Sunday, 1/18/98)
In the new information economy, you may be able to work for somebody on the other side of the globe whom you'll never meet. Here's Allen Myerson's story about "virtual migrants."

Jackson intends to keep the pressure on (Saturday, 1/17/98)
Jesse Jackson says he will continue to work toward the greater participation of minorities and women in the corporate world. Peter Truell reports on the close of the New York Wall Street conference that Reverend Jackson helped organize. President Clinton attended, as did Fed Head Alan Greenspan, who said that discrimination not only hurts individuals and families, but also hurts the economy as a whole. Meanwhile, Greg Burns of the Chicago Tribune looks at how minorities and women are doing in the "second city's" financial exchanges.

Renewed confidence in Asia helps stocks over the globe (Saturday, 1/17/98)
The new conventional wisdom in investment circles seems to be that the beleaguered Asian countries will follow through on necessary reforms, and this is boosting markets, not only in Asia, but over much of the rest of the world. Mary Jordan reports that the Tokyo market is up the most in two months. However, Pierre Belec writes that investors should not assume that all the troubles are over. That's clearly the case in Indonesia, where the rupiah continues to fall. Meanwhile, the IMF's chief is ending his tour of Asia with a stop in China. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times looks at the events in Asia in broad perspective and says that a major result will be that capitalism in Asia will look more like capitalism in the U.S. from now on. Finally, here's more on the job-related fallout of the Asian financial crises from Craig Skehan of Melbourne's The Age. There are persistent reports of arrests and detention of foreign workers in Malaysia, as that country prepares to deport a huge number of people.

Hoffa is gaining support, he says (Saturday, 1/17/98)
James Hoffa says that old opponents are starting to support him in his bid to become president of the Teamsters.

Tax snitches may get paid in Germany (Saturday, 1/17/98)
Germany is cracking down on people who aren't paying their taxes, and informants are encouraged to play a part.

Corporate chief wants a more caring workplace (Saturday, 1/17/98)
Daniel Hanson of Land O' Lakes has had a lot of personal success, but he isn't satisfied with the climate in most American companies.

Thousands march in opposition to child labor (Saturday, 1/17/98)
Thousands of people kick off a big march in Manila to protest the economic exploitation of 250 million children across the globe. In the U.S. and elsewhere, there is also concern for adequate child care, and today's Minneapolis Star Tribune has some editorial thoughts on the subject.

The rush to import computer programmers (Saturday, 1/17/98)
ABC News reports that employers are racing against a deadline on skilled worker visas.

What retirees will need in the future (Saturday, 1/17/98)
It's not only a new work world, it's a whole new world of retirement, and a summit in Florida examines retiree needs during the years ahead. Here's the story from the Miami Herald.

San Francisco body piercers hold union vote (Saturday, 1/17/98)
Katherine Seligman of the San Francisco Examiner reports that salon workers in the city have voted to unionize.

Labor Secretary denies allegations (Friday, 1/16/98)
A businessman has charged U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman with corruption. She denies any wrongdoing. President Clinton defends her. Here's the story from Reuters and the Washington Post.

McVeigh files suit against the Defense Department (Friday, 1/16/98)
Timothy McVeigh will not be discharged from the military immediately, following the filing of his lawsuit. He's accused of violating the U.S. military policy of "don't ask, don't tell" in relation to homosexuality. Despite sharing the same name, Mr. McVeigh has no connection to the convicted Oklahoma City bomber.

What are the real costs of various medical treatments? (Friday, 1/16/98)
Who really knows? A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that much of the medical community seems to suffer from acute financial illiteracy, or maybe it's chronic.

Flu hits American economy (Friday, 1/16/98)
No, it's not the "Asian flu" of the financial variety that has been plaguing Asian economies. This is the real thing, and USA Today reports that a lot of people are out sick in America. In a very tight labor market, staffing is already thin in many places.

Jobless claims up last week (Friday, 1/16/98)
The American job market is still very strong, but the Labor Department said yesterday that first-time jobless claims were up a bit last week.

Big surge in Asian markets (Friday, 1/16/98)
Stock markets in several Asian countries bounded upward as confidence seems to be on its way back following efforts to stabilize Asian economies. The market in Seoul is an exception to the good news today. Nonetheless, Janet Guttsman of Reuters that U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Summers is encouraged. He's in Seoul today at the end of an Asian tour.

Business Week considers the Asian crisis (Friday, 1/16/98)
The new edition of the big international business magazine has a cover story and major report on the Asian financial problems this time, as well as a sum-up editorial on what needs to be done by Asia and the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Andrew Browne reports that China announced today that it will overhaul its banking system in response to the Asian crisis, but Steven Mufson of the Washington Post says that U.S. officials have received assurances from China that it will not devalue its currency.

More on the plight of foreign workers in Asia (Friday, 1/16/98)
We reported yesterday on Thailand's intention to deport as many as a million foreign workers, now that its economy has gotten so much weaker. Now, here's similar news from Malaysia as reported by Craig Skehan of the Sydney Morning Herald.

Here's why Indonesia resisted necessary reforms for a time (Friday, 1/16/98)
Philip Shenon of the New York Times describes what reforms will cost President Suharto's family in what, for that country, should eventually become a very different and more viable economy. Raju Gopalakrishnan reports on those reforms, and USA Today says that the world's fourth most populous country has a very long, hard road ahead.

Not all financial crises are in Asia (Friday, 1/16/98)
South Africa's Financial Mail tells the depressing story of Zimbabwe's situation and about its own talks with IMF officials.

Job cuts at Seagate (Friday, 1/16/98)
Seagate Technology Inc. intends to cut about 10 percent of its global workforce, and that will amount to thousands of jobs.

On global migrations and the INS (Friday, 1/16/98)
Veteran print and broadcast journalist Daniel Schorr has some thoughts in today's Christian Science Monitor about the American Immigration and Naturalization Service during a time when people are on the move the world over.

How's your retirement plan compare to this? (Friday, 1/16/98)
Members of Congress may have the best pension plan around, according to the Washington Post.

The road ahead for America (Friday, 1/16/98)
The new millennium is dead ahead, and here's what the U.S. Department of Labor sees for the American economy. Among other things, more jobs are forecast. Business Week this time offers some thoughts about America's traditionally low savings rate compared to many other countries. Maybe it's possible spend yourself rich after all. Also, the magazine wonders where the next round of growth in the overall global economy will come from, and also wonders about Europe. In France, for instance, the have vs. have-not gap widens, and Craig Whitney of the New York Times that country is in danger of losing its civilized image, given high unemployment, social unrest, and street violence.

Charities and the Internet (Friday, 1/16/98)
Charities are searching cyberspace for funds, with some interesting success.

Jackson promotes minorities on Wall Street (Friday, 1/16/98)
Jesse Jackson spoke yesterday at the opening of an unusual conference at New York's World Trade Center. President Clinton is one of the participants.

The case against foreign workers in Israel (Friday, 1/16/98)
Moshe Arens presents his views on foreign workers and Israeli unemployment in the Jeruselum Post. He thinks the present situations is absurd. Also in the Post today, Nina Glibert writes about a new government program to improve hiring and training of technical workers.

On the road again (Friday, 1/16/98)
Britain's Tony Blair is taking his "roadshow" across Britain in order to sell his ideas for radically changing the UK's welfare system. Here's the story from BBC News. Meanwhile, Britain's government wants to set up a system of compulsory private sector pensions funded by payments to insurance companies made by individuals.

Baggage handlers strike at KLM (Thursday, 1/15/98)
De Telegraaf reports today that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines canceled all flights after 7 PM Thursday when baggage handlers went on strike. Talks began again at 8 PM and continue today.

Alexis Herman under investigation (Thursday, 1/15/98)
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Treasury Secretary Herman for influence peddling during the first Clinton administration. Justice will decide whether an independent counsel will be appointed.

South Korean stock market up sharply (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Investor confidence seems to be returning, so far as South Korea is concerned. However, stocks are down in Hong Kong. South Korea's President-elect Kim wants business and labor to cooperate and compromise on necessary layoffs. Evelyn Iritani of the Los Angeles Times says that the head of the IMF is pushing for layoffs in that country, but is likely to have a fight on his hands. Still, Nicholas Kristof reports that Korean unions are saying that they're willing to talk about the unpleasant subject. Namju Cho of the Wall Street Journal writes that the government may delay a vote on labor reforms, which could set back the country's efforts to fix its economy.

Pressure seems to pay off on Indonesia (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Only a few days ago, Indonesia seemed to be facing the real prospect of watching its economy evaporate, which seems to have gotten the attention of many leaders in the country who have been used to doing things their own way without much regard to economic realities for the country as a whole. Seth Mydans of the New York Times reports that the Indonesian government is bowing to intense IMF pressure, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that President Suharto has signed on the dotted line. Meanwhile, China seems less confident that it can avoid catching the "Asian flu," given the vulnerability of its banking system. However, Peter Passell wonders how well austerity really will work in restoring the affected Asian economies. Is it possible that it may make things worse?

Blair repeats commitment to building a different kind of welfare system (Thursday, 1/15/98)
The UK's PM, Tony Blair thinks that his country's welfare budgets are getting out of control. He's committed to building a welfare system based on work. However, he emphasizes that there will always be help for the "truly needy."

Immigrant unemployment data by gender in Denmark (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Politiken reports that Denmark's official statistics bureau, Statistik, says that fewer young female immigrants than male are unemployed. Similar patterns seem to exist in Sweden and France. Denmark has a larger number of immigrants from Turkey.

Netscape to cut as many as 15 percent of its workers (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Competing with Microsoft hasn't been quite enough fun for Netscape Communications. Despite still having the most widely used web browser, the company expects a loss for the fourth quarter and needs to trim expenses. The company has been employing more than 3,000 people, and more than 400 of those will probably need to search for other work. In other layoff news, London's Racal Electronics PLC plans to cut about 350 jobs. However, most displaced hi-tech workers don't have to look too far for new work. In Britain, for instance, BBC News reports that the skills shortage in the UK's electronics industry is getting serious and is being exacerbated by falling unemployment, which has reached a 17-year low in the UK.

Bill and the new "Bill of Rights" (Thursday, 1/15/98)
President Clinton would like to see a patients' "Bill of Rights" in order to make health care better in the United States. The Administration got together with Congressional Democrats and staged a "pep rally" yesterday.

Montana's unusual approach to welfare reform (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Todd Wilkinson writes about the incentives being offered to employers in Montana for hiring people off of welfare. Also in the Christian Science Monitor today, the move toward the "English-only" workplace, the contributions women are making to Mozambique's economy, and an editorial on why the U.S. should support the International Monetary Fund.

How to reduce tensions at the post office (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Kirstin Downey Grimsley writes about management and labor's efforts to cool employee tensions in the U.S. Postal Service. Also in today's Washington Post, Anne Swardson reports that France's unemployed are no less frustrated and angry and that activists intend to push ahead with more protests in order to put more pressure on the government. French unemployment has been running at record post-war levels. Finally, William Branigin tells about a scam that brought hundreds of nurses to the U.S. to work at substandard wages.

Diversity conference opens today on Wall Street (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Jesse Jackson is the organizer. President Clinton will be one of the participants.

Do you know where your children are? Maybe with relatives, says the Census Bureau (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Working parents have been turning to relatives for child care in increasing numbers, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Here's more news that may not be news (Thursday, 1/15/98)
A Scripps Howard News Service editorial makes moaning sounds today about the luke warm interest college freshmen apparently have in learning for its own sake. If you think this is really new, take a look at the American culture over the past couple of hundred years or so. Alexis de Tocqueville discussed the anti-expert, anti-intellectual attitude of Americans in his classic Democracy in America, which was published in the 1830s and 1840s. During much of the time since the Second World War, there has been a clear relationship between academic credentials and economic security, but this relationship has eroded greatly during recent years. Over the past 50 years or so, many Americans probably have earned their degrees mostly for economic reasons, but, as a happy side-effect, have managed to obtain some liberal arts education as well. A key question is how America will persuade large numbers of people to commit to "education for living" and "education for democracy" from now on.

EEOC to try new approach to detecting hiring bias (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Here's the story from the National Law Journal.

If you're a foreign worker in Thailand, get set to exit (Thursday, 1/15/98)
Nearly a million foreign workers are set to be deported from Thailand, now that the economy there is slumping badly and jobs are harder to find. The Asian financial crisis started in Thailand nearly six months ago before sweeping over much of the region.

Possible progress