tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post114243965219883995..comments2023-11-05T22:01:39.179+10:00Comments on SOSaipan: Immigrate expectationsKAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15541898442936527367noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-66516239124073051472008-03-14T23:17:00.000+10:002008-03-14T23:17:00.000+10:00This could be the comment section of the week. Li...This could be the comment section of the week. Lil and Bruce head to head. I'm going to digest my dinner and weigh in tomorrow. <BR/><BR/>First thought is: Why?bigsoxfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415669952554171048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-84613453388433097512008-03-07T20:43:00.000+10:002008-03-07T20:43:00.000+10:00The "plan" is for nothing to equalize, and nothing...The "plan" is for nothing to equalize, and nothing to change. The plan is to keep the line to non-resident labor open, to ensure that those that are here aren't ever in a position to argue for improved wages, and to artificially keep minimum wage as low as possible.<BR/><BR/>This is the "plan", and it is one that will never draw locals into the private sector workplace. It will only maintain the very distorted status quo.Lil' Hammerheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937533318872228053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-12874494533287971372008-03-07T20:40:00.000+10:002008-03-07T20:40:00.000+10:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lil' Hammerheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937533318872228053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-16490668889419650622008-03-07T16:44:00.000+10:002008-03-07T16:44:00.000+10:00There is nothing false about the argument. The ma...There is nothing false about the argument. The market will in fact set its own level. It has certainly set this one. With thousands more workers than jobs in a tiny market like this what do you think the result will be? Low wages. Try removing so many that it hurts. All of a sudden you will find the competition for available labor will push the hourly rate up far beyond what the phony “vote for me and I’ll increase your pay” sleezoids promise.<BR/><BR/>You have to get rid of not only the excess that shows, but also the hidden, underground excess that has caused the continuation of the low wage scale to begin with. Once the numbers balance, wages will equalize at much higher rates than now, and it will be sustainable. <BR/><BR/>Only a government…and its gun to the head can cause a wage to hold artificially low or high. It’s the same old sleight of hand, whether promised by the grinning naïve newbie or the creaking old veteran politician. Snake oil. Bought by the naïve, most of whom have never done anything except draw a payroll check themselves.<BR/><BR/>So lets do talk real markets.Bruce A. Batemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03804747424525560858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-65966690399068681512008-03-07T15:07:00.000+10:002008-03-07T15:07:00.000+10:00Oh there goes that false "let the market set the w...Oh there goes that false "let the market set the wage scale" argument again. What market? The artificial market that's been set up to facilitate cheap labor in the first place? <BR/><BR/>It is an artificial market. If wages were high enough to attract local workers, you wouldn't a have $3.05 minimum wage for 10 years. <BR/><BR/>I mean do you really believe that?<BR/><BR/>I'm sure the minimum wage was set to attract hordes of local workers into the garment sector, to draw down government employees longing to work in factories.<BR/><BR/>You know what most local workers would do for three bucks an hour? Nothing. And everyone knows that. Real markets do not begin with a wage level that the majority of local citizenry will not work at.<BR/><BR/>So now let's talk real markets.Lil' Hammerheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937533318872228053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-26569682017671353242008-03-07T11:16:00.000+10:002008-03-07T11:16:00.000+10:00And I agree with you, Ken that folks possibly err ...And I agree with you, Ken that folks possibly err by jumping on the US system bandwagon as if it were some magic panacea when in fact it is steeped in waste, corruption, red tape and ineptitude to the point that it makes the CNMI,s look professional by comparison<BR/><BR/>Let the market set the wage scale. There is no doubt that there is an excess supply of labor on this island. Reduce the supply and the demand for the remainder will adjust the wage scale upward over time. Try to force it via legislation and the losers will be those short on skill sets and experience…the very ones a minimum wage hike is supposed to help. Artificial minimum wage manipulation is a politician’s con game.<BR/><BR/>>>>>>>>><BR/><BR/>You are the first to comment because you probably have a lot of time on your hands.Bruce A. Batemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03804747424525560858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-18933322426068139262008-03-07T10:01:00.001+10:002008-03-07T10:01:00.001+10:00Why am I always the first to comment?Why am I always the first to comment?Lil' Hammerheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937533318872228053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954728584544867895.post-46340798707109353712008-03-07T10:01:00.000+10:002008-03-07T10:01:00.000+10:00I do agree with you Ken.. the only thing that will...I do agree with you Ken.. the only thing that will encourage local employment in the private sector are reasonable wages. Short of this, we will simply continue depending on cheap labor provided by a foreign workforce.Lil' Hammerheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937533318872228053noreply@blogger.com