Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 12, 1993 TAG: 9307120227
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Every job each of us has or aspires to is identified by the U.S. Department of Labor with a Dictionary of Occupational Titles number. Proponents and opponents of NAFTA assert that it will result in X number of jobs created and Y number of jobs lost. Months ago, I asked Rep. Rick Boucher and Sens. Chuck Robb and John Warner to cite actual figures on total jobs to be gained and lost with NAFTA and that they make claimants come forward with a list - by DOT numbers - identifying occupations most likely to gain and those most likely to lose.
Such a list should be published in every newspaper so those now working, looking for jobs or educating themselves can know whether or not jobs they hold or seek are going away. With computerized information sources available to Congress, to the Roanoke Times & World-News, to federal and state agencies and to universities, compiling such a list is possible.
Your editorial cites a pro-NAFTA report by Virginia Citizens for a Sound Economy, which is an arm of the Washington-based Citizens for a Sound Economy. This organization is dominated by corporate and financial powers who believe that nothing should get in the way of free trade. Whether it be Saddam Hussein or regimes that enslave women and children and pollute the planet, this group believes trade should be freely carried on with such countries regardless. The organization's director of trade policy, Bryan Riley, said, "I believe it would be wrong, in general, to use trade policy to attempt to force other countries to adopt policies that are to our liking."
One reason this group lobbies for NAFTA is revealed by its admission that " . . . agreement would put Mexico on the road to financing its $80 billion international debt. This is of significant importance to U.S. banks that hold almost one-third of Mexico's commercial debt." The group believes NAFTA is worth $27 billion to the big U.S. banks holding shaky Mexican notes.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor said the cost of wages and benefits in manufacturing averages $16.77 an hour in the United States, which is lower than costs in 13 other countries. Germany's is $25.94 an hour, Japan's is one penny less than the United States', and Mexico's is $2.35 an hour.
Labor-benefit costs are not the sole reason why manufacturers locate to one place or another. Cost difference is a factor, and it should be of interest to this area of Virginia, which is more dependent upon manufacturing than other parts of the state.
To determine whether or not NAFTA is "good" for America, citizens ought to have specific information as to whether their own jobs are to be enhanced or wiped out. Most Americans do not have the security of guaranteed lifetime employment enjoyed by some, and they need information to chart their future.
NAFTA's impact on job titles is not being addressed by our political figures, federal and state governments or universities. That leaves it up to the media, so give us the facts. You can be for or against NAFTA, but give us a list of DOT occupational numbers for jobs predicted to flourish and those headed for oblivion. ROGER LEWIS WILLIS
by CNB