An article published last Tuesday in the New York Times (www.nytimes.com) discussed the recent game plan for Opel, the European unit of the well known General Motors. They vowed "to become profitable in 2012 by cutting capacity by 20 percent and reducing its work force by 8,300, while introducing new models." They will be closing the doors to its plant in Belgium which will leave 2,600 workers without jobs equaling about 5 percent of the work force in Europe and will be cutting jobs in the other plants. They are also planning on introducing eight new models and upgrades by 2011. After the announcement, around 27,000 workers and union representatives protested in the streets against the upcoming job cuts.
Now, along with cutting costs and raising production of new models comes the issue of the increased labor that will be required from those who were "fortunate" to keep their jobs. Bad news is, it is safe to say that the chances of a pay increase is not very likely. As Marx would put it, Opel is out for its self interest at the cost of the disadvantage of the working force self interest. Looking at the big picture, Opel's decision will be leaving many unemployed workers desperately scrambling for jobs to sustain their household; and with times being tough they become more vulnerable to becoming cheated of deserving wages at other perspective jobs that all of those people will be competing for.
Again GM (capitalist) is looking toward their own interest and does not really care about the working class. I disagree with the fact that GM is cutting jobs while planning to introduce new models and features in vehicles in Europe. These employees are not only cheated out of their jobs and wages, there are becoming more alienated from them. This will drive laborers into looking into jobs that are less paid, less productive; which will raise the competition for employment in troubled Europe and the world economy even more.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Marx would disagree on the argument that cutting jobs and also introducing eight new models. what this means is that the capital(GM) wants its workers to work more and get paid less which Marx is against. GM will definitely make a lot of profit because it is cutting jobs but then also introducing new models so it actually will get doubled on the profits by cutting jobs and new models. On the other hand the workers will not have a job and are depended on the capital so live.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that Marx would disagree, GM creating new cars benefits the Company's bottom line. There is nothing fair about getting rid of workers to produce more vehicles. This to me turns a plant into a sweat shop, working its employees long hours and paying them pennies. Because you don't have enough people to work, it makes for an unhealthy work environment. The competition further is increased between other auto companys. Will they begin to cut their jobs in order to increase their bottom line? Those individuals out of work will be forced to find jobs for lesser pay, less benefits and the job of maintaining the household becomes a lot more difficult.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, on one hand, companies should not just concentrate on their own interests, but think about the feeling of workers. Because the owner and the worker are co-independent, companies can develop and workers should be paid properly. On the other hand, the real world becomes more and more competitive. Companies must support themselves by cutting staff and improving ability. Though it is against Marx’s thought, it is a normal thing, which leads to the development of our society in some case. Only in this way can we treat our household better in the future.
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