Gandelf wrote:I can only go from what I've seen in my own area. Stoke has always been the the global centre for pottery production, hence why the area is called "The Potteries". We have a proud heritage in that respect and because it's something we do best, the quality of our pottery is probably the finest in the world. Many companies locally, nationally and internationally use our products. Certainly there used to be a huge UK market for companies seeking to use our pottery products, not only standard pottery ware, but speciality ware made specifically for one company etc. However, that has all changed since UK (and international) companies have gradually found cheaper pottery manufacturers elsewhere in the world. The number of "pot-banks" (as we call them) that have had to closed because they can't compete with the extremely cheap foreign companies who pay their employees a pittance is a cause for great concern. The industry has really suffered—been brought to its knees, even. Some of the most famous and established pot-banks have closed and there are very few left. Most are just small businesses. Combine that with the closure of coal mines and steelworks, which were the other two biggest sources of employment in the area and you have a city that has been decimated. Unemployment is quite high and what few jobs become available are invariably low-paid.
I know the coal-mines and steelworks are not really so much to do with the outsourcing issue, but the pottery industry is. So the biggest gripe I have about outsourcing is that it's created hardship for people living in my area. The companies in my area just cannot compete with the ultra-cheap foreign bunch.
Don't get me wrong, it's good that poorer countries get new opportunities, but what about the folks back home? Is our misfortune at the expense of others' good fortune ethical?
[irony]
Yeah, we should make a law against outsourcing. Think of all thoose people that are loosing their jobs because of this.[/irony]
It's something we got to live with. If we can't compete, we are history.
The good old fashion hard work labour thing is going to be history in today's 'industrial' countries.
The only thing we can compete with is our knownledge and quality education.
we should start competing with servicebusiness instead.
Master Of Spamming 
