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Strong Opposition to Outsourcing
Outsourcing of US jobs to countries like China, India and Mexico where labour costs are much lower remains very unpopular, according to the latest Harris Poll(r). Only 16% of Americans agree with President Bush's economic advisor's comment that it is 'good for the US economy'.
A majority disagree, whether Republican, Democrat or independent, and a 69% to 17% majority overall would support a 'special tax' on 'companies that use less expensive foreign workers to replace American workers'.
Most Americans are aware of the dilemma and difficulties involved, however: a 49% to 38% plurality agrees that 'if companies get work done less expensively abroad, that reduces their cost which means American consumers pay lower prices' and a 45% to 35% plurality agrees that 'if we prevent American companies from getting work done wherever it is least expensive, that makes it harder for them to compete with foreign companies'. A 71% to 13% majority agree that 'the long term success of the US economy requires that we have a highly educated workforce who do highly skilled jobs here which cannot easily be done abroad'.
Asked specifically about four of the most common routes for outsourcing, the biggest majorities frown upon outsourcing of IT, data processing and telephone center work to India (c.72% think this is a bad idea, vs 16% who don't). Smaller but still substantial majorities think use of Chinese or Mexican workers to manufacture things previously made in the US is a bad idea (by 64% to 21% and 59% to 24% respectively). Presumably, the difference has to do with one or more of geographical proximity (ie favouring Mexico), novelty (outsourcing to India is very high profile at present) and a greater acceptance that manufacturing costs are going to be cheaper overseas than there is for services.
Comparing policies for the (likely) candidates in the election, almost half those questioned are unsure which has the better policy on this issue, or say 'neither'. John Kerry has a modest advantage over President Bush (by 32% to 24%), but it is not as big a difference as many democrats would have expected or hoped given the President's recent embarrassment on the issue.
IS OUTSOURCING OF LESS EXPENSIVE JOBS GOOD OR BAD FOR THE ECONOMY?
"A well-known economist said recently that on balance it is good for the U.S. economy when American companies use less expensive workers in countries like China and India to do work previously done at a higher cost in this country. Do you agree or disagree?"
| Base:
All Adults |
| |
|
PARTY
I.D. |
| |
TOTAL |
Republican |
Democrat |
Independent |
| |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
| Agree |
16 |
25 |
8 |
17 |
| Disagree |
68 |
58 |
79 |
70 |
| Not sure |
16 |
17 |
13 |
13 |
REACTIONS TO FOUR STATEMENTS ABOUT U.S. LABOR FORCE AND OUTSOURCING
"Do you agree or disagree . . . ?"
| Base:
All Adults |
| |
Agree |
Disagree |
Not
Sure |
|
The long-term
success of the U.S. economy
requires that we have a highly educated
workforce who do highly skilled jobs here
which cannot easily be done abroad
|
71 |
13 |
17 |
Companies that use less
expensive workers
to replace American workers should pay
a special tax on this work |
69 |
17 |
14 |
If companies
get work done less expensively
abroad, that reduces their costs which
means American consumers pay lower prices |
49 |
38 |
13 |
If we prevent American
companies from
getting work done wherever it is less
expensive, that makes it harder for them
to compete with foreign companies |
45 |
35 |
20 |
| Note:
Percentages may not add up exactly due to rounding. |
ATTITUDES TO FOUR THINGS SOME U.S. COMPANIES DO
"How do you feel about American companies doing each of the following? On balance, do you think it is good or bad to . . .?"
| Base:
All Adults |
| |
Bad |
Neither
Good nor
Bad |
Good |
Not
Sure |
|
Use
India's information technology
and data processing staff to
replace American staff here
|
73 |
15 |
5 |
7 |
Use Indian
workers in telephone centers
to replace American workers in
telephone call centers here
|
72 |
16 |
5 |
7 |
Use
Chinese workers to manufacture
things previously made here
|
64 |
21 |
7 |
9 |
Use Mexican
workers to manufacture
things previously manufactured here
|
59 |
24 |
9 |
8 |
| Note:
Percentages may not add up exactly due to rounding. |
WHO HAS BETTER POLICY ON OUTSOURCING OF JOBS - BUSH OR KERRY?
"Who do you think is likely to have the better policy on the issue of American companies using less expensive workers in other countries like China and India - President George Bush or Senator John Kerry, if he is the Democratic candidate?"
| Base:
All Adults |
| |
|
PARTY
I.D. |
| |
TOTAL |
Republican |
Democrat |
Independent |
| |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
| President George
Bush |
24 |
53 |
6 |
18 |
| Senator John Kerry |
32 |
8 |
58 |
34 |
| Neither |
18 |
20 |
13 |
24 |
| Not sure |
26 |
19 |
23 |
24 |
The Harris Poll(r) was conducted online by Harris Interactive within the US between March 18 and 29, 2004 among a nationwide cross section of 3,698 adults. 'Propensity score' weighting was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
The company's Web site is at www.harrisinteractive.com
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