Smlr_net January 2008

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NYTimes.com: A Revival of 1992's Glum Mood
by sagauro＠rci.rutgers.edu 16 Jan '08

16 Jan '08

This page was sent to you by: sagauro(a)rci.rutgers.edu. BUSINESS | January 16, 2008 Economic Scene: A Revival of 1992's Glum Mood By DAVID LEONHARDT The details of the economic slump have changed since the '92 presidential race, but the main story line remains much the same. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/business/16leonhardt.html?ex=1201150800&e… ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS E-MAIL This e-mail was sent to you by a friend through NYTimes.com's E-mail This Article service. For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help(a)nytimes.com. NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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NYTimes.com: Many Violations for Employer of Worker Who Died in a Fall
by sagauro＠rci.rutgers.edu 16 Jan '08

16 Jan '08

This page was sent to you by: sagauro(a)rci.rutgers.edu. NEW YORK REGION | January 16, 2008 Many Violations for Employer of Worker Who Died in a Fall By CHARLES V. BAGLI and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM A contractor involved in Monday's fatal construction accident in SoHo has a history of safety violations at projects in Manhattan. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/nyregion/16building.html?ex=1201150800&en… ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS E-MAIL This e-mail was sent to you by a friend through NYTimes.com's E-mail This Article service. For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help(a)nytimes.com. NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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NYTimes.com: Blue-Collar Jobs Disappear, Taking Families' Way of Life Along
by sagauro＠rci.rutgers.edu 16 Jan '08

16 Jan '08

This page was sent to you by: sagauro(a)rci.rutgers.edu. NATIONAL | January 16, 2008 Blue-Collar Jobs Disappear, Taking Families' Way of Life Along By ERIK ECKHOLM In southeast Ohio, thousands of people who long had tough but sustainable lives are being wrenched into the working poor. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/us/16ohio.html?ex=1201150800&en=fcef3e000… ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS E-MAIL This e-mail was sent to you by a friend through NYTimes.com's E-mail This Article service. For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help(a)nytimes.com. NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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NYTimes.com: JPMorgan Joins Banks in Writedowns
by sagauro＠rci.rutgers.edu 16 Jan '08

16 Jan '08

This page was sent to you by: sagauro(a)rci.rutgers.edu. BUSINESS | January 16, 2008 JPMorgan Joins Banks in Writedowns By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JPMorgan said that its exposure to subprime mortgages devalued its portfolio by $1.3 billion. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Earns-JPMorgan-Chase.html?ex=12… ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS E-MAIL This e-mail was sent to you by a friend through NYTimes.com's E-mail This Article service. For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help(a)nytimes.com. NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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[IWS] CRS: CHINA'S HOLDINGS of U.S. SECURITIES: IMPLICATIONS for the U.S. ECONOMY [9 January 2008]]
by Eugene McElroy 15 Jan '08

15 Jan '08

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Order Code RL34314 China's Holdings of U.S. Securities: Implications for the U.S. Economy January 9, 2008 Wayne M. Morrison, Specialist In International Trade and Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Marc Labonte, Specialist in Macroeconomic Policy, Government and Finance Division http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34314_20080109.pdf [full-text, 16 pages] Summary Given its relatively low savings rate, the U.S. economy depends heavily on foreign capital inflows from countries with high savings rates (such as China) to help promote growth and to fund the federal budget deficit. China has intervened heavily in currency markets to limit the yuan's appreciation. As a result, China has become the world's largest and fastest growing holder of foreign exchange reserves (FER), which totaled $1.4 trillion as of September 2007. China has invested a large share of its FER in U.S. securities, which, as of June 2006, totaled $699 billion, making China the 2nd largest foreign holder of U.S. securities (after Japan). These securities include Treasury debt, U.S. agency debt, U.S. corporate debt, and U.S. equities. U.S. Treasury securities are issued to finance the federal budget deficit. Of the public debt that is privately held, about half is held by foreigners. As of October 2007, China's Treasury securities holdings were $388 billion, accounting for 16.8% of total foreign ownership of U.S. Treasury securities and making China the second largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries after Japan. From March to October 2007, China's Treasury holdings declined by about 8%. Some U.S. policymakers have expressed concern that China might try to use its large holdings of U.S. securities, including U.S. public debt, as leverage against U.S. policies it opposes. For example, various Chinese government officials are reported to have suggested that China could dump (or threaten to dump) a large share of its holdings to prevent the United States from implementing trade sanctions against China's currency policy. Other Chinese officials have reportedly stated that China should diversify its investments of its foreign exchange reserves away from dollardenominated assets to those that offer higher rates of returns. A gradual decline in China's holdings of U.S. assets would not be expected to have a negative impact on the U.S. economy (since it be matched by increased U.S. exports and a lower trade deficit). However, some economists contend that attempts by China to unload a large share of its holdings U.S. securities holdings could have a significant negative impact on the U.S. economy (at least in the short run), especially if such a move sparked a sharp depreciation of the dollar in international markets and induced other foreign investors to sell off their U.S. holdings as well. In order to keep or attract that investment back, U.S. interest rates would rise, which would dampen U.S. economic growth, all else equal. Other economists counter that it would not be in China's economic interest to suddenly sell off its U.S. investment holdings. Doing so could lead to financial losses for the Chinese government, and any shocks to the U.S. economy caused by this action could ultimately hurt China's economy as well. The issue of China's large holdings of U.S. securities is part of a larger debate among economists over how long the high U.S. reliance on foreign investment can be sustained, to what extent that reliance poses risks to the economy, and how to evaluate the costs associated with borrowing versus the benefits that would accrue to the economy from that practice. This report will be updated as events warrant. Contents China's Foreign Exchange Reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 China's Holdings of U.S. Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 China's Ownership of U.S. Treasury Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 U.S. Concerns Over China's Large Holdings of U.S. Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 What If China Reduces its Holdings of U.S. Securities? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Concluding Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 List of Figures Figure 1. Breakdown of China's Holdings of U.S. Securities as of June 2006 . . 6 List of Tables Table 1. China's Foreign Exchange Reserves: 2001-2006 and Estimates for 2007 and 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Table 2. Top 5 Holders of Foreign Exchange Reserves and Changes to Holdings From December 2006-September 2007 . . . . . 3 Table 3. Top Five Foreign Holders of U.S. Securities as of June 2006 . . . . . . . . 5 Table 4. Major Foreign Holders of U.S. Treasury Securities: March 2007 and October 2007 . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ______________________________ **************************************** Stuart Basefsky Director, IWS News Bureau Institute for Workplace Studies Cornell/ILR School 16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10016 Telephone: (607) 255-2703 Fax: (607) 255-9641 E-mail: smb6(a)cornell.edu **************************************** -- Eugene McElroy Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations Library 50 Labor Center Way New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 732-932-9513 tel: 732-932-9513 ********

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[IWS] CRS: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS: U.S. POLICY & ISSUES FOR CONGRESS [10 January 2008]]
by Eugene McElroy 15 Jan '08

15 Jan '08

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Order Code RL34317 Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress January 10, 2008 Clare Ribando Seelke, Analyst in Latin American Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Alison Siskin, Specialist in Immigration Policy, Domestic Social Policy Division http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34317_20080110.pdf [full-text, 56 pages] Summary Trafficking in people for prostitution and forced labor is one of the most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of significant concern to the United States and the international community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. According to the most recent Department of State estimates, roughly 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year. If trafficking within countries is included in the total world figures, official U.S. estimates are that some 2 to 4 million people are trafficked annually. However, there are even higher estimates, ranging from 4 to 27 million for total numbers of forced or bonded laborers. As many as 17,500 people are believed to be trafficked to the United States each year. Human trafficking is now a leading source of profits for organized crime syndicates, together with drugs and weapons, generating billions of dollars. Trafficking in persons affects virtually every country in the world. Since enactment of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386), the Administration and Congress have aimed to address the human trafficking problem. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (TVPRA), which President Bush signed into law on January 10, 2006 (P.L. 109-164), authorized appropriations for FY2006 and FY2007. The State Department issued its seventh congressionally mandated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on June 12, 2007. Each report categorizes countries into four tiers according to the governments efforts to combat trafficking. Those countries that do not cooperate in the fight against trafficking (Tier 3) have been made subject to U.S. sanctions since 2003. Sixteen countries were placed on Tier 3 in the 2007 report. On October 18, 2007, President Bush imposed new trafficking in persons related sanctions on Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela. In the 110th Congress, there are several bills with trafficking-related provisions. The Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 (P.L. 110- 53) directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide specified funding and administrative support to strengthen the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center. H.R. 3887 (Lantos), approved by the House on December 4, 2007 by a vote of 405-2, would, among other provisions, reauthorize anti-trafficking programs through FY2011, and amend the criminal code and immigration law related to trafficking. It is likely to be considered by the Senate early in the second session of the 110th Congress. Another bill, H.R. 2522 (Lewis), would establish a Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of current U.S. anti-slavery efforts, including antitrafficking in persons programs, and make recommendations. S. 1703 (Durbin), approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 20, 2007, would create additional jurisdiction in U.S. courts for trafficking offenses occurring in other countries. This report will be updated periodically to reflect major developments. Contents Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Trafficking and Alien Smuggling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Scope of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Causes of Rise in Trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Traffickers and Their Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Regional Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Asia and the Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Middle East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Latin America and the Caribbean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 U.S. Funding for Global Anti-Trafficking Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Trafficking in Persons Report, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2007 Country Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Focus on Forced Labor Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Results from the 2007 TIP Ranking and Sanctions Process . . . . . . . . 17 The International Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 U.N. Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish TIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Other Relevant International Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 U.N. and Related Agencies Anti-Trafficking Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Other Regional Organizations and International Forums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 European Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) . . . . . . 20 Trafficking into the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Official Estimates of Human Trafficking into the United States . . . . . . . . . 21 Response to Trafficking within the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Immigration Relief for Trafficking Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 T Nonimmigrant Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Continued Presence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 U Nonimmigrant Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Aid Available to Victims of Trafficking in the United States . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Health and Human Services Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Department of Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Domestic Investigations of Trafficking Offenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Legislation in the 110th Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 3887 (Lantos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Policy Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 How to Collect Data and Measure Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Credibility of TIP Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Sanctions: A Useful Tool? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Equal Focus on all Types of Trafficking? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Debates Regarding Prostitution and Trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Issues Concerning Immigration Relief for Trafficking Victims . . . . . . . . . 37 Stringency of T Determination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Tool of Law Enforcement or Aid to Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Victims Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Appendix A. Anti-Trafficking Administrative Directive and Legislation . . . . . . 40 Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 . . . . . . . 41 The Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 . . . . . . . 44 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Protection Act of 2004 . . . . . . . . 44 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 . . . . . . . 44 Appendix B. Trafficking Funding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Appendix C. Information on Domestic Grant Programs for TIP Victims . . . . . 52 List of Figures Figure 1. Global Anti-TIP Obligations by Agency, FY2005 and FY2006 . . . . . 12 Figure 2. FY2006 Global Anti-TIP Obligations, Regional Distribution . . . . . . . 14 List of Tables Table 1. T-visas Issued: FY2002 through FY2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Table 2. Authorizations to Implement Victims of Trafficking Act, FY2001-FY2011 . . . . . 47 Table 3. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as Amended Authorizations and Appropriations, FY2001-2007 . . . . . . 51 Table 4. Authorizations and Appropriations for Grant Programs to Assist Victims of Trafficking in the United States: FY2001 FY2008 . . . . . . . 52 -- Eugene McElroy Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations Library 50 Labor Center Way New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 732-932-9513 tel: 732-932-9513 ********

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[IWS] World Bank: MIGRATION & REMITTANCES FACTBOOK 2008 [8 January 2008]]
by Eugene McElroy 14 Jan '08

14 Jan '08

World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008 January 8, 2008 http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTDECPROSPECTS/0,,content… A snapshot of migration and remittances data for all countries, regions and income groups of the world, compiled from available data from various sources. For the latest remittances data, please see Remittances data [link on this page]. The print version of the factbook will be available in February 2008. **************************************** Stuart Basefsky Director, IWS News Bureau Institute for Workplace Studies Cornell/ILR School 16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10016 Telephone: (607) 255-2703 Fax: (607) 255-9641 E-mail: smb6(a)cornell.edu **************************************** -- Eugene McElroy Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations Library 50 Labor Center Way New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 732-932-9513 tel: 732-932-9513 ********

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NYTimes.com: Malaysia, US Resume Free Trade Talks
by sagauro＠rci.rutgers.edu 14 Jan '08

14 Jan '08

This page was sent to you by: sagauro(a)rci.rutgers.edu. BUSINESS | January 14, 2008 Malaysia, US Resume Free Trade Talks By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- The United States and Malaysia resumed formal talks Monday for a free trade agreement, nearly a year after discussions stalled amid differences over Malaysia's government procurement policy. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Malaysia-US-Free-Trade.html?ex=… ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS E-MAIL This e-mail was sent to you by a friend through NYTimes.com's E-mail This Article service. For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help(a)nytimes.com. NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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Unions bitterly divided in Democratic race
by sagauro＠rci.rutgers.edu 13 Jan '08

13 Jan '08

This story was sent to you by: eugene mcelroy -------------------- Unions bitterly divided in Democratic race -------------------- A tight Clinton-Obama contest has raised the costs and stakes for organized labor. And no place higher than in Nevada. By Tom Hamburger and Maura Reynolds Los Angeles Times Staff Writers January 13 2008 LAS VEGAS — The tight race between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama has opened surprisingly deep and bitter divisions in the ranks of organized labor, as rival union leaders fly planeloads of last-minute volunteers into key states, accuse each other of trying to disenfranchise members, and even launch open attacks on rival Democratic candidates. The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-unions13jan13,0,5869599.story?co… Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com

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CWW Luncheon Lecture Series: "Welfare Transformed"
by Eugene McElroy 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Flyer for distribution From: "Brenda Shaw" <breshaw(a)rci.rutgers.edu> Date: Thu, January 10, 2008 2:09 pm To: sagauro(a)rci.rutgers.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please distribute the attached flyer with the verbiage below. Thanks. The next presentation in the CWW Luncheon Lecture Series will be held on Wednesday, January 23, and will feature Dr. Robert Cherry, author of "Welfare Transformed". See the attached flyer for more information, and we hope to see you there! Brenda Shaw Sr. Administrative Assistant Rutgers University Center for Women and Work School of Management and Labor Relations breshaw(a)rci.rutgers.edu (732) 932-4614 office (732) 932-1254 fax -- Eugene McElroy Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations Library 50 Labor Center Way New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 732-932-9513 tel: 732-932-9513 ********

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Smlr_net January 2008