RonG <rgesell@mb.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 05:01:16 +0000, Omphalos wrote:
>
>> For years I always read about how much harder Japanese worked than other
>> countries. Apparently the tide has turned, according to an International
>> Labor Organization report, Americans work more hours now than any country
>> in the world. 
>> 
>> Hours worked per year:
>> 
>> US   1,979
>> Japan  1,842
>> UK  1,719
>> Germany 1,480
>> 
>> 
>> Productivity per worker (in US $):
>> 
>> US  $54,870
>> Belgium $53,370
>> Canada $44,870
>> Japan $40,870
>> 
>> If you calculate productivity per hour Belgium and France come out on top.
>> 
>> I think the longer # of hours worked in the US is due to opportunity;
>> there has been a lot of work available in the past decade and people take
>> advantage of it. I would expect lower productivity per worker in Japan
>> since there has always been a lot of overemployment, keeping workers on
>> that you don't really need. This raises business costs but lowers social
>> costs associated with unemployment.
>> 
>> All things considered, I think I'd rather live in France and have 6 weeks
>> vacation a year.
>> 
>
>Don't forget that in USA about 60% of the population is employed. In
>Europe its between 45 and 52%. Not only are are Americans earning more,
>but there are more of them earning more.

But in the US the greater productivity is going to make the already
rich even richer.  Less of that earning actually goes into the pockets
of the earners.

-- 
Ray Fischer         
rfischer@sonic.net