Does Latin American and Caribbean Unemployment Depend on Asian Labor Standards?

Many Latin American nations have recently implemented liberal trade regimes, often as part of a larger set of market-oriented reforms, and have abandoned their industrialization policies based on import substitution. In the 1980s, Chile, Mexico, and Bolivia were among the continent`s first nations to slash tariff rates and virtually eliminate quantitative restrictions on imports. They were followed by many others, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago. All these countries are now much more exposed to international competition than ever before. But is this a good idea? Are labor rights really more restricted in export-oriented Asian nations than they are in Latin America? And if so, are Latin American workers prejudiced by Asia`s lower standards?

Vietnam - on the road to labor-intensive growth ?

Since Vietnam's adoption of the doi moi or renovation policy in 1986, the country has been undergoing the transition from central planning to a socialist market-oriented economy. This has translated into strong economic growth, led by the industrial sector, which expanded more than 13 percent a year from 1993 to 1997. Vietnamese policymakers are concerned, however, that employment growth has lagged. To address this concern, the author compares new employment data from the Vietnam Living Standards Survey (VLSS 2), completed in 1997-98, with data from the first household survey undertaken in 1992-93. He shows that in 1993-97, industrial employment grew an average of about 4 percent a year, which is low compared with industrial GDP growth. This slower growth was attributable to the capital-intensive, import-substituting nature of the state sector and foreign investment, which dominate industry. The more labor-intensive, export-oriented domestic private sector is still small, although growing quickly. In the future, growth promises to become more labor-intensive. Before the Asian crisis there were signs of anemerging export-oriented sector. Using previous statistical analysis (Wood and Mayer 1998) as well as factor content calculations, the author estimates that given Vietnam's endowment of natural and human resources, Vietnam could triple its manufacturing exports and create about 1.6 million manufacturing jobs in export sectors in the near future. After examining Vietnam's labor regulations, the author concludes that there is no need for basic reform of the labor market. At current levels, minimum wages and nonwage regulations (even if better enforced) are unlikely to inhibit development of the private sector or hurt export competitiveness. But a restrictive interpretation of the Labor Code's provisions on terminating employment could hurt foreign investment, reduce the speed of reform in the state sector, and slow the reallocation of resources to the domestic private sector.Labor Policies,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Banks&Banking Reform,Public Health Promotion,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Economic Growth,Economic Theory&Research,Banks&Banking Reform,Environmental Economics&Policies

Molecular Devices Based on Bridged Transition-Metal Complexes

The article from A. von Zelewsky, in this issue gives a broad survey about some scientific activities at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the University of Fribourg. The present contribution will be rather focused on a detailed study of the photophysical and photochemical behavior of a molecular device that is capable to undergo energy- and/or electron-transfer processes

Photochromic Molecules as Building Blocks for Molecular Electronics

Energy and electron transfer processes can be easily induced by a photonic excitation of a donor metal complex ([Ru(bpy)3]2+), which is connected via a wire-type molecular fragment to an acceptor metal complex ([Os(bpy)3]2+). The rate constant for the transfer process can be determined by emission measurements of the two connected metal complexes. The system can be modified by incorporation of a switching unit or an interrupter into the wire, influencing the transfer process. Such a molecular device corresponds to an interrupter, mimic the same function applied in molecular electronics. We have used organic switches, which show photochromic properties. By irradiation with light of different wavelengths, the switch changes its functionality by a photochemical reaction from an OFF- to an ON-state and vice versa. The ON- respectively OFF-state is manifested by a color change but also in different conductivity properties for energy and electron transfer processes. Therefore, the mentioned molecular device can work as a simple interrupter, controlling the rate of the transfer processes

ILO Minimum Estimate of Forced Labour in the World

Prepared for the ILO by Patrick Belser, Michaelle de Cock, and Farhad Mehran, this is a technical document that provides a detailed account of the methodology used in the ILO’s first minimum estimate of forced labour in the world, prepared in 2005. It also includes a thorough evaluation of the results, with calculation of margins of error and comparison with external sources

Guide to Jewish Values and Disability Rights

This book aims to inspire Jewish communities to more fully integrate disability into our conversations about Jewish values—and to affirm the potential for a powerful connection between Jewish tradition and movements for disability justice. By bringing Jewish texts and traditions into conversation with the principles that guide disability activists and human rights advocates, the book highlights the connections between Jewish values and the disability rights movement. It serves as a resource for Jewish leaders, educators, funders, and social activists who seek to integrate disability issues into discussions about Jewish values. It aims to spark conversations about how these values shape our lives as Jews—and how they can inspire us to build more inclusive communities. It suggests steps toward creating Jewish communities that are fully accessible to people with disabilities, welcoming Jews with disabilities into synagogues and Hebrew schools, and promoting equal access to Jewish life and learning. This book emerges out of the conviction that Jews with disabilities deserve access to the richness of Jewish culture—and that our Jewish communities become stronger and richer when they include people with disabilities.Each chapter uses classic Jewish texts to illuminate Jewish justice principles, and joins those principles with concrete efforts to promote disability inclusion and disability rights:Chapter 1 explores how the core concept of B'tselem Elohim: The Infinite Value of the Individual affirms the fundamental equality of all people, regardless of disability status.Chapter 2 delves into the meaning of Areyvut: Communal Responsibility. It shows that enabling people with disabilities to fully participate in Jewish life is a communal obligation and a collective responsibility.Chapter 3 examines Kavod: Respecting Agency, Promoting Dignity. This chapter addresses ways Jewish communities can affirm the dignity of people with disabilities both by challenging stigma and shame, and by avoiding over-effusive praise.Finally, Chapter 4 discusses how commitments to Tzedek & Tikkun Olam: Pursuing Social Justice can inspire Jews to expand the boundaries of disability activism beyond Jewish institutions and become partners in the broader movement for disability rights and social change

Mental Health On Youtube: Exploring the Potential of Interactive Media to Change Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors About Mental Health

This dissertation first examines the mental health content on the video-sharing site YouTube as a foundation for exploring the ways the mental health community (members and associates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) have used, and may use, YouTube in the future for information seeking, social support seeking, information providing, and social support providing. Using a content analysis of a systematic sample of YouTube videos produced by the YouTube search engine for the terms \u27mental health\u27 and \u27mental illness,\u27 this study highlights types, topics and formats of mental health related content, including types of mental illnesses, as well as documenting participation around these videos in the form of views, comments, likes and dislikes. A survey based on the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Uses and Gratifications theory explores the attitudes, norms, past behaviors and intentions to use YouTube for mental health communication (information and support seeking, information and support providing). The study finds that there is a wealth of mental health material on YouTube, including personal stories, public service announcements and general information videos; however, while members of the mental health community have begun to explore YouTube for information and connection with others who share their experiences with mental illness, they are still concerned about credibility of information, as well as potential for being stigmatized for admitting to having a mental illness and loss of privacy