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redstar2000
23rd March 2005, 02:35
eBay for the Working World

When Fabian Löw unleashed jobdumping.de on the Internet, he had an inkling it would be provocative. Because at a time when job seekers have it tough, his job auctions are won by those willing to work for the least pay.

The concept of jobdumping.de is simple. An employer posts a job that needs doing, along with the maximum wage he or she is willing to pay. Interested job seekers then compete with each other for the job by underbidding, meaning the employer ends up with the person willing to do the job for the least amount of money.

Löw is frequently accused of exploiting the desperation of job seekers at a time when unemployment is at a record high, and laws cutting benefits for the jobless have just been introduced.

"Wage costs, compared across an inter-European level, are unreasonably high in Germany. They have to be completely renegotiated," Löw told Die Zeit.

Löw makes no bones about the fact that he approached the project from the employer's perspective. He looks at the situation on the German labor market with cold realism, and doesn't shy away from saying things most Germans would prefer not to hear -- including his view that in future, Germans will have to get used to working more.

It sounds a bit callous coming from someone currently studying social work at a Catholic technical college in Münster. But Löw said he has no moral qualms.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1519405,00.html

And in a related story...


Germans Mull Fifty-Hour Workweek

In a move that will surely raise the hackles of Germany’s labor unions, two leading economic and industry figures proposed introducing a 50-hour workweek as a means to reduce the country’s staggering unemployment rate.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1260997,00.html


Here is a graphic lesson in how the capitalist world is preparing for its own destruction. Each time the working class is forced into accepting ever more degrading and onerous conditions, more of them will find that Marxism makes sense.

I expect Germans, being sensible, to "pick up" on this fairly quickly.

Americans, sad to say, are "underachievers" in this regard.

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

Exploited Class
23rd March 2005, 06:47
France is going to do the samething it appears, not 50 but 39 hours a week. Soft socialism does not work inside a capitalist market, okay it does but the 30 second orgasam of 'sticking it to the man' wears off quickly, and when you wake up in the morning you are left with nothing but a roller coaster floating on the top of a stormy ocean going over a bumpy back mountain road of an economy, that sinks and rises with only the workers as the passengers.

40 hours is not a real number, it doesn't exist as some golden perfection of a work week. Workers didn't pick "buisness hours" either, they did not all get together one day and say, "hey Bill what do you think would be the ideal hours of operation for buisness?" "Gee Sally, I would say 9 hours of the day starting at 8 and ending at 5 for maximized profits for our bosses would be perfect, monday through friday!"

You are kidding yourself moderate socialist reformed Europe, watch out for the appeasments.

t_wolves_fan
23rd March 2005, 12:55
Originally posted by [email protected] 23 2005, 02:35 AM


I expect Germans, being sensible, to "pick up" on this fairly quickly.


They may pick up on it, but not the way you think.


Germany with it's socialist policies: 12.6% unemployment.

United States with fewer social services: 5.6% unemployment.

The Garbage Disposal Unit
23rd March 2005, 19:06
Mind you, I was under the impression that being unemployed in the United States was qualitively different than being unemployed within a welfare state.
For example, I can't find a job, but I've still got a pair of glasses, and access to a doctor . . .

synthesis
29th March 2005, 19:15
Germany with it's socialist policies: 12.6% unemployment.

United States with fewer social services: 5.6% unemployment.

Yeah, because it's always as simple as that.

Andy Bowden
29th March 2005, 19:49
Germany's "socialist policies" include cutting off a womens unemployment benefit because she refused to work as a prostitute. The high vote for the PDS, (Party of Democratic Socialism) the descendant of the Stalinist East Geman communist party shows how many Germans have turned against capitalism, and are even beginning to ask if reunification was a good idea :(

Maynard
30th March 2005, 00:22
Germany with it's socialist policies: 12.6% unemployment.

United States with fewer social services: 5.6% unemployment

Or put another way....

Norway with its "Socialist" policies: 4.4%

Poland with fewer social services, thanks to the World Bank and IMF: 18.2 %

Because it's just that simple. I think Redstar is right though, the attack on the Welfare State currently underway in many parts of Europe, will radicalise signifcant parts of the population. However, in which direction they radicalise, is the key issue.

Wolnosc-Solidarnosc
30th March 2005, 04:23
Poland has fewer social services but then again it was never a welfare state like Norway. The comparison is not valid, considering that Poland is still undergoing democratic transition and de-communization. Remember, it's been a mere 16 years since the fall of official commie rule. To breathe life into an economy that was systematically destroyed for 45 years is not that simple, particularly if you look at the state it was in when communist rule finally DID fall. You blame the IMF? I blame the fact that Poland for the last 8 or so years has been ruled by former members of the communist party. Heck, the recent slew of corruption scandals speaks for itself.

I'd give it a few more years before making any such claims, particularly when you consider Poland's very recent entry into the European Union.