A policy agenda on Outsourcing

Source: The Free Library
Key Points

* Although the number of U.S. service jobs lost to outsourcing is currently small relative to the total work force, the fear of a seemingly limitless loss of jobs to lower-wage countries has caused widespread anxiety.

* U.S. companies dominate global services outsourcing, and India is the top developing-country destination.

* National and state legislators have introduced a flurry of anti-outsourcing bills, but corporations are mounting a strong counter-attack.

"Don't worry; they'll get better jobs in the service sector." During the last three decades of the 20th century, this was the mantra of most government and business leaders when corporations transferred auto or apparel jobs to Mexico or China. That line doesn't work anymore, since U.S. companies have started shifting a wide range of service jobs as well--from high-skill computer programming to entry-level call center jobs--to India and other lower-wage nations. This breaching of the final frontier of American jobs has caused understandable anxiety and has become a hot-button issue Noun 1. hot-button issue - an issue that elicits strong emotional reactions
gut issue

issue - an important question that is in dispute and must be settled; "the issue could be settled by requiring public education for everyone"; "politicians never discuss in the presidential election campaign.