The cost savings of off-shoring production are spectacular. Average weekly earnings in US manufacturing industry in August 2009 were 624 dollars according to the US bureau of labor statistics. (Wages in the electronic appliances sector were slightly higher than average). That gives a monthly rate of US$2,704 (18,464 yuan) or nearly 24 times Dongguan's legal minimum wage or 14 times the lower, and nearly 10 times the higher, estimate of average earnings given by Delta. |
離岸生產(chǎn)能夠驚人地節(jié)省成本。美國勞工統(tǒng)計局?jǐn)?shù)據(jù)顯示,美國制造業(yè)在2009年8月的周平均工資為624美元(電子產(chǎn)品部門的工資略高于這個平均水平)。以此計算,美國制造業(yè)的月平均工資則高達2704美元(約合人民幣18464元),這個數(shù)值是東莞法定最低工資標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的24倍,是Delta員工中的較低收入者的14倍,較高收入者的10倍。 |
For the workers at Delta and Chicony, the training courses provided an opportunity to solve mundane grievances. In the women’s dormitories at Chicony hot water was often unavailable in the evenings. Chicony management lobbied the local authorities to repair the local water supply and also installed a new central heating device, actions that the workers greeted with applause. Some workers also felt the company was making it difficult for them to resign. This turned out to be a misunderstanding, with workers believing verbal notice was sufficient and the company insisting on written notice. Once explained, the matter was resolved. |
對于在Delta和Chicony工作的員工,培訓(xùn)課程提供了一個解決日常工作中的不滿的機會。在Chicony的女工宿舍,熱水常常在夜間停止供應(yīng)。Chicony的管理人員說服當(dāng)?shù)夭块T對供水系統(tǒng)進行修理,安裝新的中央供暖裝置,這一行動得到工人的贊賞。還有一些員工感到公司對辭職設(shè)置了障礙。結(jié)果通過培訓(xùn)發(fā)現(xiàn)這是勞資雙方的一個誤會,只不過是員工認(rèn)為口頭通知足夠了,而公司則堅持要提交書面通知。誤會消除后,問題也就迎刃而解了。 |
One lasting legacy of the training course is the telephone hotline at Chicony, now operated by a workers' committee which is 80 percent elected by the workforce. Vic Lee, one of the more sympathetic managers involved in the program, said "It not only helps workers to understand their labor rights and obligations, but it offers them counseling services and relief from emotional problems. Many factory workers are migrant workers who face challenges being away from home in a new environment." |
培訓(xùn)課程讓工人能夠長久受益的一點是Chicony的電話熱線目前由工人委員會負(fù)責(zé),這個委員會成員八成以上是由工人自己選舉出來的。Vic Lee是較為支持此項目且親自參與的經(jīng)理,他說,這個項目不僅能夠幫助工人理解勞動者權(quán)益和義務(wù),而且還為他們提供咨詢和情感疏導(dǎo)的服務(wù)。許多工廠工人遠(yuǎn)離家鄉(xiāng)來到這個陌生環(huán)境,在心理上是個不小的挑戰(zhàn)。 |
From the point of view of SACOM and the other campaigners involved the most important result of the training has been to give the workers the sense that they have the power to influence their working conditions. It is this heightened sense of dignity and empowerment that will, in their view, lead to a long term improvement in their wages and conditions. |
SACOM和其他活動者認(rèn)為培訓(xùn)最重要的結(jié)果就是讓員工建立了這樣一個意識——他們有能力改善自己的工作條件。在他們看來,正是這種被強化了的尊嚴(yán)感和權(quán)利賦予使他們的薪資水平和工作條件得到長足的改善。 |
"We have confidence in workers that they will carry on their good fight, and after the training, they will gain more power in defending their rights. When workers learn negotiation skills they become brave to bring up previously unspoken issues," said Jenny Chan. |
Jenny Chan說:“這些工人將會繼續(xù)為自身權(quán)益而斗爭,我們有這個信心?!迸嘤?xùn)之后,他們能夠有更大的能力來維護自己的權(quán)益。當(dāng)工人們學(xué)習(xí)談判技巧時,他們敢于把之前未敢道出的事情拿到臺面上來講。
(China.org.cn 何珊 譯)
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