British IT workers 'crowded out'. What else is new?

[Peter Gibbons]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8276253.stm

[I D Shukhov]

Capitalism itself is no more moral than a computer is.  It is completely goal-driven to maximize productivity, profit and compensation to high level managers (owners) first and shareholders second.

[Richardk]

Yes but in some companies it's reached stupid levels like supplying office furniture that looks like it was dragged in from the street or providing inadequate / antiquated software that makes workers less efficient but with lower wages, I guess they figure it's money saved.

[TRexx]

Yes but in some companies it's reached stupid levels like supplying office furniture that looks like it was dragged in from the street or providing   inadequate / antiquated software that makes workers less efficient but with lower wages, I guess they figure it's money saved.

Why should they buy $600 Aeron chairs when the troops are willing to sit on ones that cost $69.95 at Wal~Mart? Why should they pay $1 for software that increases productivity by 50% when they can make the troops work 20 hours of OT for free?

Because the troops can't (or won't) go somewhere else.  

It works both ways. I remember times when 23 year old "programmers" who happened to know Java and HTML demanded and got 6 figure salaries, signing bonuses and whatever electronic toys suited their fancy.

 

[Aussie]

"It works both ways. I remember times when 23 year old "programmers" who happened to know Java and HTML demanded and got 6 figure salaries, signing bonuses and whatever electronic toys suited their fancy."

The Y2K boom seems so much longer ago than a mere single decade.  Didn't get no Aeron chair......this is Sydney, and the overseers have never let all us transportees get too uppitty .......but the classy coffee machines were a nice touch.

[Peter Gibbons]

Of course everything is driven by profit.

I am just annoyed that big companies have a lot of advantages that are built into the system.

And there is always this talk about fairness ...

[Origisaurus]

Capitalism itself is no more moral than a computer is. It is completely goal-driven to maximize productivity, profit and compensation to high level managers   (owners) first and shareholders second.

This can be interpreted in more than one way.  Are you saying that "capitalism" is the cause of using foreign workers?  Or perhaps you mean that some other type of economy would avoid using foreign workers?

Please clarify.

[expat]

"It works both ways. I remember times when 23 year old "programmers" who happened to know Java and HTML demanded and got 6 figure   salaries, signing bonuses and whatever electronic toys suited their fancy."  
 
The Y2K boom seems so much longer ago than a mere single decade. Didn't get no Aeron chair......this is Sydney, and the overseers have   never let all us transportees get too uppitty .......but the classy coffee   machines were a nice touch.

It could be worse. I'm living in England, out of work for 8 months, looking out at the battleship grey sky ("like living inside Tupperware" -- Bill Bryson). I'd transport myself if I could.

[Aussie]

You have to wonder whether the Colonial Office abandoned transportation in the mid 19th Century beacuse word was leaking back that it wasn't so much of a punishment anymore.

Like the song says :

And me convict mates all hate the place, they long for Mother England,
But what in the hell has she got, I declare?
The chimneys are a-smoking, they're smelly and they're choking,
And the Dukes own every bunny rabbit there.

[expat]

You have to wonder whether the Colonial Office abandoned transportation in the mid 19th Century beacuse word was leaking back that it wasn't so much of a   punishment anymore.  
 
  Like the song says :  
 
  And me convict mates all hate the place, they long for Mother England,  
  But what in the hell has she got, I declare?  
  The chimneys are a-smoking, they're smelly and they're choking,  
  And the Dukes own every bunny rabbit there.

I didn't know that song, they didn't teach us that at school. Doesn't look like much has changed.

[Aussie]

Chain Around Me Ankle
by John Williamson

In the finest harbour in the world,
In a cove they're calling 'Sydney'
Captain Governor Phillip trimmed his sails
With shelter form the winds
Of the big Pacific Ocean
We landed in New South Wales

And you should see the parrots
All coloured in like rainbows
Pink galahs and screaming cockatoos
And a bird that won't stop laughing
When he sees me getting a flogging
He wouldn't be laughing if he were in me shoes

You beat your drum, you drink your rum
You threaten me with hanging
It's difficult with a chain around me ankle.
But given half a chance I'd break
And disappear in the grey gums
And learn to live like a native in this land.

And the native blacks are friendly
Even though a bit suspicious
Of anyone with a redcoat or a gun
If I could learn their lingo
And listen to the Dreamtime
The bush and me and the animals would be one

And me convict mates all hate the place
They long for Mother England
But what in the hell has she got I declare?
The chimneys are a-smoking
They're smelly and they're choking
And the Dukes own every bunny rabbit there.

And the Irish girl I lay with
In the middle of the ocean
She says she's willing and keen to marry me
But working like a dog
And treated like a donkey
Given ten years or so I might be free

You beat your drum, you drink your rum
You threaten me with hanging
It's difficult with a chain around me ankle.
But given half a chance I'd break
And disappear in the grey gums
And learn to live like a native in this land.
 

[expat]

Thanks. I like it. Almost makes up for dumping the real National Anthem in favour of one that's just like everybody else's.