At a wonderful panel discussion this past Saturday at the Bronx Documentary Center — events@bronxdoc.org — an audience member complained about the lack of jobs and, in areas like the South Bronx, the need to decide between “job-creating” industrial development and the health of residents. His frustration was summed up with the question – “What’s going on here?”
In today’s New York Times (March 4), a feature article reported on record profits posted by large corporations. These profits are fueled by outsourcing and low interest rates. Two examples were cited. In one, the corporation had a 25% increase in revenue, without a change in their workforce. In the other, record profits were accompanied by a 13% increase in the workforce, but 94% of those workers were from outside the United States.
So what is going on here? Many things. Among them, sustained low interest rates are encouraging companies to invest in labor-savings capital equipment (more output per worker), obviating the need for workers. Additionally, cheaper labor in countries outside the United States encourages outsourcing. All of this adds up to higher unemployment, lower wages for workers, less jobs and a government that cannot sustain itself, let alone provide public supports for our growing number of vulnerable citizens.
What’s going on here and what do you think we should do about it? That is the challenge we face today.
Harold DeRienzo
President
Today many regions are suffering from outsourcing of jobs and investments. What is going on here is the result of globalisation and improving technology, which replaces human workers. Companies can grow without the need to hire more employees. The few workers they need are cheaper elsewhere. Since distance is no boundary anymore investments are made in other regions of the world (and even there only a minority benefit). Unfortunately the question what to do is harder to answer. Arguing about globalisation makes no sense, because nobody can do anything against it. It will continue – we all have to find ways to deal with it. In developed countries with declining industries education, individualism and differences becomes even more important than it was before.
Buying stuff locally, for example, is an idea. Every time you order things on Amazon your money leaves to another part of the world.
There were quite a number of people in the audience that evening at the Bronx Document Center that had a history of engagement in and passionate concern for the well -being of the community. The ‘live wire’ energy in the room spoke to the need for continued dialogue and opportunity – the possibility that something could grow from it.
One thought about “what we should do about it” (aside from getting concerned neighbors talking about it), is to build local, urban gardening economic development projects that provide jobs for youth: like a youth run roof garden cooperative where they grow tomatoes and produce their own brand of salsa that is sold in the neighborhood.
Thanks Rima — It is interesting. While you were posting this comment I was speaking with Al Quinones from 52 Peoples Park. He was talking about working with a group of students from Banana Kelly High School to start a garden behind 677 Beck Street. In the meantime, Banana Kelly has four garden projects underway and a former Banana Kelly executive has given us a standing invitation to develop a rooftop garden on an industrial building on Walnut Avenue in Port Morris, if we can raise the money. And we are only a small part of this urban farming movement. Perhaps the time is right to make this happen –especially with our youth.