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This section offers news briefs concerning international finance. the European Commission will extend its antitrust investigation regarding the support given to ING Groep NV by the Dutch government. The Reserve Bank of Australia has expressed plans to increase interest rates. Brokerage firm CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets has announced that it would increase its workforce by 15 percent by 2010.

The article reports that more job cuts will be implemented by Monsanto Co. According to the biggest seed company in the world by revenue, it will reduce its workforce by 8 percent or around 1,800 jobs. It also announced that competition for its Roundup herbicide will lead to lower revenue which is expected to be near guidance.

The article reports on the plan of Air France to reduce its workforce by 1,500 through voluntary departures. The French airline is looking to counter falling revenues with the said initiative. The company is also adjusting to weak traffic during the economic slowdown and increasing competition. Negotiations for the layoff will start soon.

The article reports on the 27,000 new jobs that were added in Canada in August 2009. The job increase was due to the growth in part-time and private-sector employment, which confounded many economists' expectations that there will be more unemployed people. The increase is said to be a sign that the Canadian economy is recovering from the recession.

The author reflects on the unemployment problem being experienced by the U.S. in relation to the recession. The author notes the 9.7% increase in unemployment rate in August 2009, which is considered the highest rate in 26 years. The author reveals that there are 26 million U.S. citizens who cannot find a full-time job. The author suggests the lowering of business taxes as a way to create jobs.

The article reports on the dismissal of some state and local government employees in the U.S. As of August 2009, there are 18,000 government employees who were dismissed. The rate for jobless men in the U.S. increased to 10.1% while the jobless rate for women increased to 7.6%. It notes the strategies of U.S. citizens in budgeting their money.

The article reports on the 9.7% increase in unemployment in the U.S. in August 2009, which was used by the Republican government officials to criticize the economic stimulus plan of the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. John Boehner, House Republican leader, stated that the stimulus plan increased unemployment and debts. But U.S. Vice President Joe Biden claimed that the U.S. economy is improving and the stimulus package has created or saved between 500,000 and 1 million jobs.

The article reports on efforts to decrease unemployment rate in Oregon, which is ranked number four among states with the highest unemployment rate. It notes the action taken by the Oregon Business Development Department's network to attract clean-technology companies. Details on the economic difficulties being experienced by the state are given. The possible challenges that could be faced by the state in expanding its clean-technology industries are also noted.

The author analyzes the employment data in the U.S. during a period of recession in 2009. According to the author, 6.6 million jobs have been lost on a seasonally adjusted basis on almost every age groups except the cohort aged 55 and over, which has gained almost one million jobs. The five percentage points increase in the proportion of the over-55 age group in employment reflects a need for them to re-enter the work force, the author explains. In terms of labor participation, declines are seen for every other age group.

This article reports on the claim by the Chinese government that the number of rural migrant workers who lost their jobs in mass layoffs in 2008 has substantially declined. It says that the decline means that the government's economic stimulus measures are filtering into the job market. However, there is a concern on weak growth in household incomes. It is estimated that there are about 150 million rural migrant workers in the country as of June 2009, constituting the backbone of the country's manufacturing industry.

The article discusses the shortage of art conservators who are experts in the restoration and conservation of masterworks. It is said that many art conservators worldwide are nearing retirement. The uses of sensors, X-ray and ultraviolet light in the examination of an artwork by art experts at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California are described. Conservators analyze the pigments in painting using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence analysis.

The article reports that the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent in June, 2009 as job losses increased more than had been forecast by economists. The Labor Department said non-farm employment declined by 467,000 jobs. The poor labor market conditions make it less likely the U.S. economy will emerge from recession in 2009.

The article reports on the plan of Monsanto Co. to restructure its Roundup herbicide business. The company is expected its profits from the said unit to fall because of increasing competition with generic rivals. In addition, the company will be laying off 900 jobs across the business or 4 percent of the work force.

The article focuses on the impact of a reduction in the work force of the U.S. Federal Reserve on the central bank's regulatory responsibilities. Federal Reserve governor Frederic Mishkin stated that the bank was stretched to its limit before the economic crisis in 2008. He added that if the Federal Reserve is not allowed to hire the people it needs, it could pose a problem for both the systemic regulation and the ability of the board to do monetary policy.

The article offers tips on how to re-enter the work force successfully. First tip is to improve skills and knowledge by reading industry blogs and trade publications. It is suggested to test a routing of preparing for and heading to the office. Career coach Barbara LaRock asserted that a person should be emotionally prepared especially if his self-confidence was damaged by unemployment.

The article reports that the global work force of Norkse Skog ASA will be reduced by nine percent in 2009. Aside from the employee reduction, investments will also be reduced, which the company attributed to the decreasing demand for newsprint and magazine paper. Chief executive Christian Rynning-Tonnesen mentioned that they are improving cash flow.

The article reports that U.S. manufacturers who are not affected by the economic downturn are faced with a supply of highly qualified candidates even for jobs that are tough to fill. Metal fabricator Schebler Co. netted 154 applicants, majority of them with more than 10 years of experience. Other companies that are steadily adding workers include Marlin Steel Wire Products and Phoenix Closures Inc.

The article reports on the increasing number of retirement-age workers in the U.S. who are trying to get back into work force. According to the Labor Department, in April 2009, the participation in the labor force by workers over age 65 was at 16.9%. It cites the increase in unemployment for the age group to 5.8% from 3.5% in the same period in 2008. The losses in 401(k) plans are said to impact the retirement plans of those who are employed.

The article reports on the efforts of U.S. companies to devise strategies to safeguard their employees and prevent production interruption should swine flu virus outbreak become more widespread. Myles Druckman of International SOS Assistance said that up to 30% of the global workforce could become ill during the course of the pandemic and absenteeism rates could be higher if workers need to attend to sick family members. Texas Instruments is allowing its employees with school-age children affected by the closing to work from home as part of its strategy.

The article reports on the possible elimination of about 10 percent of the work force at Satyam Computer Services Ltd., the Indian outsourcing company at the center of a fraud scandal, by owner Tech Mahindra Ltd. According to Kiran Karnik, Satyam's government-appointed chairman, the company's work force is too large for the workload because Satyam founder B. Ramalinga Raju hired more employees than needed. Revelations about the fraud at Satyam are noted.

The article reports on a staff restructuring in China by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. which may result in about 2.5 percent of its local work force relocating or getting pay cuts. The changes will reduce Wal-Mart's management system, by cutting jobs at the middle-manager level. Affected employees will be relocated to other stores in neighboring areas or face reduced salaries. Jonathan Dong, a spokesman for Wal-Mart in China offered a statement about the moves of Wal-Mart.

The article reports on the arrival of warmer weather which brightens the jobs picture for people struggling in the coastal tourist towns of Delaware. According to several businesses, their season indicators such as President's Day and St. Patrick's Day, were more successful in 2009. In an average summer, more than 2,000 foreign workers troop to the area but fewer than 1,500 are expected in 2009.

The authors comment on the reintroduction of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in the U.S. The authors believe that EFCA would provide unreliable authorization cards and its penalties and injunctions would intimidate employers into being silent during union campaigns. The authors think that the changes would boost the membership status of unions beyond the current 8% in the private-sector workforce.

The article reports on the findings of the annual survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) in China which show that 35% of U.S. firms there expect their revenue to drop in 2009, from 13% who projected a decline in 2008. It was also found that 39% of Amcham members are postponing or have cancelled planned investments for 2009, while 21% expect to reduce their work force in China. Also noted is the pessimism of almost half the firms surveyed in terms of business prospects for 2009.

The article reports on the plan of electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. to start offering corporate environmental services to customers and to expand its work force in China by 5%. It states that an agreement was signed by Hon Hai with International Business Machines Inc. to acquire technology used to calculate greenhouse-gas emissions from factories and other corporate facilities. According to company chairman Terry Gou, they will invest $100 million to $200 million in developing such software services.

The article discusses an annual report from Joint Venture Silicon Valley and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation that Silicon Valley in California has posted a decline in employment and recorded a decline in per capita income in 2008 for the first time in several years, as the recession caught up with the region. It is noted that Silicon Valley posted a 1.3 percent decline in employment in December 2008 from a year earlier, the first time since 2005 that the area has not continued a jobs revival.

The article reports on the prediction of Applied Materials Inc. regarding the worsening conditions for semiconductor makers and their suppliers. The company projected 2009 first-quarter loss on a 36 percent drop in revenue and responded with sharp cuts, including layoffs. Applied revealed that those cuts will total about 14 percent of its work force. Michael Splinter, chief executive officer (CEO) of the company, said chip makers are reducing their production and spending on manufacturing capacity in response to declining economic conditions.

The article reports on a social-benefits program for domestic work force to be unveiled by Italian eyewear maker Luxottica SpA amid the global economic downturn that hit the country's industrial north. Employers in northern Italy have been reportedly hit hard by the crisis as demand for luxury goods has dried hard. Luxottica has announced plans in 2009 to place about 6,000 workers on temporary, state-subsidized leave for a total of four days during January and February.

The article reports on the plan of General Motors Corp. (GM) and Chrysler LLC to offer attrition programs at U.S. plants in order to trim labor costs further. According to GM union officials, the program is intended to address the number of surplus employees and create potential for hiring entry-level employees when the business environment improves. A Chrysler union official stated that under the program, retirement-eligible workers who leave will get a $50,000 incentive and a $25,000 Chrysler vehicle voucher.

The author comments on the $87 billion fund in the U.S. House stimulus bill that will help Medicaid expand its family planning services. He said that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's response that contraception will help reduce costs to the states and federal government ignored the importance of human capital which he believes is a country's most important resource. He added that fewer babies will lead to a smaller work force in the future, which can result in less overall economic growth.

The article reports that New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce is in need of new hires to handle the growing number of unemployed citizens. New Jersey is reportedly seeing the largest unemployment rate since 1996 and needs more employees to handle people filing for unemployment benefits. According to the author, the economic downturn has created some job opportunities for a select number of Americans like those in the unemployment industry, in federal agencies handling insurance claims and for bankruptcy lawyers.

The article reports on the planned job cuts by British bank Barclays PLC and Dutch bank ING Groep NV. Barclays said that it intends to reduce workforce at its investment-banking and investment-management units and a source added that the cuts is likely to affect 2,100 staff members, which includes 1,300 from Barclays Capital, 500 from Barclays Wealth and 330 from Barclays Global Investors. Separately, ING cited that it would slash 750 U.S. jobs or about 8% of the U.S. workforce while Nomura Holdings of Japan would layoff its 80 investment banking staff.

The article reports on the elimination of 4,600 jobs by Federal-Mogul Corp. in the wake of the continued adverse conditions of the global automotive market. Job cut will compose 10 percent of the company's work force and is an addition to the 4,000 reduction it has announced in September 2008. The article notes that the job cut will begin in the first quarter of 2009 and will be a cost-savings of about $80 million through the end of 2009.

The article reports on the plan of Telecom Italia SpA to cut another 4,000 jobs and dispose non-core assets valued at as much as €3 billion to reduce its debt and trim costs as of 2008. According to it, the job cuts will reduce the company's work force by 14% to 55,000 from 64,000. It is said that this business plan has been expected for months as Telecom Italia shares have declined in value from 2007.

The article features Toledo City, Ohio, which has made efforts in changing its identity to lean toward a younger and more diverse labor supply that goes beyond the automaking business with Detroit, Michigan. It highlights that due to the financial crisis that has troubled the automaking industry in Detroit, Toledo leaders have aimed at making the city more than the Glass City and the Auto Parts Capital of the World. One of the leaders attests that jobs are the region's main concern, after posting a 7.8% unemployment rate.

The article stresses the effort of out-of-state interest groups to influence the Senate race in Georgia with political advertisements and manpower in 2008. It states that pressure groups, candidates and political parties have spent over $17 million during the four-week final campaign. It says the election on November 4 is seen by many to be a proxy contest for dominant control of the Senate by Democrats. Also mentioned are labor unions which have supported Democratic challenger Jim Martin.

The article reports on the decision of several chip-memory makers to downsize amid the global economic downturn and credit market turmoil. Samsung Electronics Co. intends to close its two chip-production lines by end of 2009 and reduce its capital-spending allocation. Toshiba Corp. is also delaying the construction of new manufacturing facilities in Japan. Qimonda AG and Infineon Technologies AG are planning to reduce their labor force. According to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics, sales are expected to decline by 2.2% in 2009.

The article reports on the plan of Qwest Communications International Inc. to cut 1,200 jobs due to a 93% drop in its third-quarter net income for 2008 caused by accelerating land-line losses and the weak economy. It is said that 3% of the work force will be affected by the job cuts and will be across all aspects of the business.

The article looks at the 6.1 percent increase of the unemployment rate in the U.S. and the decline to 159,000 of nonfarm payrolls in September 2008. Sluggish housing industry hit the construction and manufacturing jobs and is said to spread over other sectors because companies are starting to cut back and cull the work force. National Employment Law Project seeks for a second extension of unemployment benefits for 2008 prior to the ending of the 13-week extension for 800,000 people.

The article focuses on the restructuring plan of industrial automation service provider Rockwell Automation Inc. that intends to cut 3% of its labor pool around the world to save the company about $85 million by 2010. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith D. Nosbusch highlights that the restructuring, which entails streamlining, administrative and operations functions, was to better align selling resources with growth opportunities and consolidate business units in light of the financial crises.

The article reports that after three decades of rapid growth, China faces the challenge of maintaining that progress as policies and trends will be winding down in the coming decades. Political stability combined with economic liberation reportedly made China, which was agriculture based and technologically backward, catch up with the developing world. Focus is given on three challenges that threaten China's future stability including a changing workforce, social inequality and constrained resources.

The article talks about the plan of Abott Laboratories to remove 1,000 jobs worldwide to ease global manufacturing operations and save costs in its main diagnostics unit in 2008. According to the company, the cut will affect about 10% of its diagnostics work force or 100 employees. Melissa Brotz, the company's spokeswoman, explained that the decision is made to improve the company's profitability and competitiveness.

The article reports on the expansion plans of Vestas Wind Systems A/S in Colorado. The wind-turbine maker announced that it will build two more plants in Colorado, which is planned 15 miles northeast of Denver, Colorado, and this will be the third and fourth facilities in the state. The company plans to bring its work force to 2,350 in Colorado, where one of the plants will manufacture wind-turbine blades and will have 650 employees. The company revealed that it saw a 27% rise in net profit for the second quarter of 2008.

The article examines how high inflation poses a risk even to Wyoming which is experiencing an economic boom. Compared to most U.S. states, Wyoming's economy is characterized by low unemployment and a soaring housing market, with very few foreclosures. However, the booming economy is also having difficulty dealing with the soaring prices of supplies, oil and housing. Its low unemployment rate has also put pressure to raise wages, but there are not enough people to fill the jobs.

The article reports on the growing concern in India's technology and outsourcing sector over the shortage of qualified recruits. According to T.V. Mohandas Pai, director of human resources (DHR) at Infosys, while India has a vast pool of talent, they are unprepared or ill-equipped for assimilation in the industry which could only benefit outsourcing services in other places like the Philippines. Thus, they have to spend more on in-house training to address such problems as unfamiliarity with English, according to Priyanka Joshi of Genpact.

The article reports on the cost control measures and revenue generation initiatives of Northwest Airlines Corp. to cope up with the rising fuel costs. Northwest announced that it plans to cut its work force by 8.3%, charge fees for the first bag that will be checked in and for tickets awarded to frequent fliers, and raise fees for making changes on the ticket. According to the article, the capacity reductions, which will affect 2,500 workers, is needed to right-size the airline. The fees are expected to generate $250 million to $300 million in revenues.

The article reports on the results of a study on the prevalence of obesity in China and its implications for the country's work force and economic growth. According to the study, more than 25% of adults in China are overweight or obese and such number is expected to double over the next 20 years. It notes that obesity-related costs will possibly lead not only to drastic increases in direct medical costs, but also to indirect costs such as decreased worker productivity and absenteeism.

The article evaluates economic statistics on the U.S. labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will issue its report on employment for June, 2008 on July 3, 2008. The survey is expected to show a decline in the number of workers. It is noted that labor market weakness means workers with jobs are less able to gain raises.

The article reports on the impact of the decline in the construction industry on Hispanic construction workers in the U.S. based on a study by the Pew Hispanic Center. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate among them was 6.5% in the first quarter of 2008. Hispanics have found nearly 300,000 more new construction jobs in the first quarter of 2007 compared to 2006. Labor-force participation among foreign-born Hispanics was 70% in the first quarters of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 suggesting that they are not returning to their countries of origin.

The article reports on a review conducted by U.S. Defense Department auditors on staffing. According to it, auditors have been unable to oversee military spending due to manpower shortfalls. It says that the military budget increased to $600 billion in fiscal 2007 from $300 billion in fiscal 2000 whereas the number of auditors remained constant.