Michel Cournoyer

Federal Reserve – US unemployment “remains elevated”

The Federal Reserve has reiterated that the US economy is only growing slowly, and that the country’s unemployment rate “remains elevated”. Yet it added that the housing market had “shown some further signs of improvement”. The comments came as the US central bank kept interest rates on hold at between zero and 0.25%, as had … Continue reading →

China – Graduates eye government jobs

Cao Bin’s dream job in China’s officialdom befits anything but the popular image of a tea-drinking bureaucrat reading newspapers in an air-conditioned office, or dozing off at long meetings. Instead, the postgraduate at China Foreign Affairs University has applied for a position with the China Earthquake Administration. If successful, the job will catapult him into … Continue reading →

Global Gender Gap Report 2012 : The Ranking

But how does the United States stack up against other countries when it comes to said gender equality? According to the 2012 Global Gender Gap Report, released on October 23rd by the World Economic Forum, we’re only 22nd best. writes the Huffington Post. The report ranks 135 countries (which collectively contain over 90 percent of … Continue reading →

Colgate – To cut about 2,310 jobs

Colgate-Palmolive Co (CL.N) unveiled a cost-cutting plan on Thursday that included cutting its workforce by the end of 2016 by about 6 percent. The toothpaste maker, which has some 38,600 employees, also posted a higher quarterly profit that met analysts’ expectations… Choosen excerpts by JMM from via Colgate to cut about 6 percent of jobs … Continue reading →

Mass Layoffs – Highest Since 2010 Finds Blommberg

Ford Motor Co. (F) and Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) joined a growing number of companies firing thousands of workers as sluggish U.S. growth and Europe’s deepening recession lead to a persisting slump in sales. North American companies have announced plans to eliminate more than 62,600 positions at home and abroad since Sept. 1, the biggest … Continue reading →

US – Unemployment Claims : An Uncertain Job Market Outlook

After last week announcement of an increase of 34,000, DOL says that Unemployment Inssurrance Claims dropped by 23,000. The real job market coudn’t be that volatile. But it shows how incertain is the job market outlook. -*-   SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending October 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 369,000, a … Continue reading →

Rio close Gove mine | Mining Australia

Rio Tinto may close its Gove alumina mine in an effort to cut costs globally. The decision follows the miner’s announcement it would slash jobs at the site. At the time Frank Willsdon, Pacific’s general manager, explained that Rio is looking at ways to operate the site with fewer people. “Steadily over time, we [want … Continue reading →

Reverse Brain Drain – IT – India / US: Over half of Indian IT professionals returning

“Early April, Corp-Corp conducted a survey among Indian IT professionals. More than 1000 professionals responded to this survey. The results show more than half of the Indian IT professionals are planning to return to India.” writes corp-corp.com on its Blog. Survey Highlights (adapted excerpts) 50.1% of the people said that they will be returning to … Continue reading →

ManpowerGroup’s Talent Shortage Survey : Talent is becoming the key competitive differentiator

“ManpowerGroup surveyed nearly 40,000 employers across 39 countries and territories during the first quarter of 2011 to gauge the impact of talent shortages on the global labor market. The results of the sixth annual Talent Shortage Survey reveal a modest upward trend in the percentage of employers having difficulty filling positions due to lack of … Continue reading →

Peugeot gets government rescue

PSA Peugeot Citroen (PEUP.PA) unveiled a government-backed refinancing deal for its lending arm as the struggling French automaker’s financial position deteriorated further, sending its stock to historic lows. Europe’s second-biggest automaker said it was close to an agreement with creditor banks on 11.5 billion euros ($14.9 billion) of refinancing and had won state guarantees on … Continue reading →

Saudi Arabia – Hiring 500 staff nurses and 20 respiratory therapists

The Northern Mindanao Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) Regional Extension Unit-10 has announced the immediate hiring of 500 staff nurses and 20 respiratory therapists for Saudi Arabia. The POEA 10 said that this will be a government-to-government hiring of female staff nurses and female respiratory therapists. Qualified applicants for both openings will have a … Continue reading →

Taiwan – Wistron Corp. plans no layoffs

Wistron Corp., one of Taiwan’s leading original design manufacturers, said Wednesday that it has no plans to lay off any of its employees this year, amid concerns that mass large-scale workforce reductions will take place in the industry. Wistron’s announcement came after Compal Electronics Inc., one of Taiwan’s largest PC makers, reported to Taipei’s Department … Continue reading →

Zynga to lay off 5% of employees

Zynga Inc laid off 5 percent of its full-time workforce and shut its Boston office on Tuesday as it embarked on a sweeping cost-cutting campaign that may eventually see the “FarmVille” game creator close its Japanese and British studios as well. The company, which is trying to arrest a steep decline in earnings as users … Continue reading →

Corning to cut jobs

Specialty glass maker Corning Inc reported a lower quarterly profit as sales to consumer electronics, telecommunication and automotive markets fell, and said it plans to cut jobs and reduce costs. Corning, which makes products as diverse as smartphone screens to emission filters, said it expects a pretax charge of up to $50 million in the … Continue reading →

Belgium – 10,000 jobs losses at Ford (video)