by markhillary

Question: What are some pros & cons to insourcing jobs to indian reservations instead of outsourcing to other countries?
I have asked this question in other forums . . .Why can’t we insource, certain industry to people on reservations instead of sending jobs overseas?

1) Bank accounts, credit and personal information, in foreigners’ hands seems like a recipe for a homeland security disaster.
2) Create jobs in some of the poorest regions of the U.S.
3) Balance resources between indian nations & keep it economically strong in our homeland
4) Restore confidence in people both on & off the reservation.
5) Common language already spoken
6) hard-working and easily trainable work force set up quickly
7) nearness to markets/ less transportation cost/customs/taxes etc. local investment
9) quality of life for all Americans
10) tax incentives for businesses working with sovereign nations

Can you you think of any other pros or cons?
Thanks William. Interesting input about entitlement and you raise an important point about reputation. Because I know better, I become so frustrated with stereotypical notions about the “lazy, drunken, amoral, uncivilized indian”. It is a harmful myth. There *are* undeniably problems with adaptation-with forced assimilation but I’ve known most indians to be the most honest and hard-working around. I guess people will never understand until they are forced to walk in two worlds and outside of time. IMHO, in a country where the majority is Christian and highly judgmental, casinos still serve to make indians look amoral –as if they are cheats and gamblers out for money. Rez life is HARD and not a handout or adequate compensation for a dirty deal. Indians need representation and a real solution to these problems.
Thanks Sweets. I don’t follow how it would be considered racist. Not all jobs on reservations are held by indians. Many casinos employ large numbers of non-indians.

Yes, the sheer numbers of people in these foreign countries creates a large pool of talent at low cost but with 3.4 million jobs having been shipped offshore since 1998 there is more than enough available workforce here.

Other countries also have minimum wage requirements as well as other requirements for industry. Permits, factory operations, infrastructure, training, translation, freight . . . there are all sorts of hidden costs. Add to that the fact that a lot of contracts are contingent upon bribes, and you begin to wonder how cost-effective doing business overseas actually is.

I lived in Thailand for several years and have been traveling & working there for over 15. My husband was a director of one of our largest computer manufacturing facilities so I am not pulling numbers out of a hat.
*chuckles at Pelagius
Is this a case of the Empire Striking Back?
I hear ya Mr. TwoCrows. This is why I said ‘certain’ industry. Perhaps call centers, etc. I’m thinking mainly white-collar type jobs, but there is no reason why certain cottage-industry jobs could not be created. The added value of being made in America as authentic indian craft at a time when health scares over manufacturing processes in countries like China does not escape me. I’m sure you are also aware of the problem with Chinese peddling American indian goods.

I’m mainly thinking of eco-friendly type jobs. Solar farms perhaps and leading a trend toward NATURAL capitalism. Things that already support the indian way of life. Cradle to cradle type manufacturing, not cradle to grave industry. What better people to lead the way than those who know the land and how to manage resources in a sustainable way?

You’re correct about the infrastructure, but that seems minor compared with setting up infrastructure in a foreign country.
Thanks Indigo. I agree. I see that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation (backed by Warren Buffet) offers business loans/grants to people around the world and is now helping indigenous groups in Australia.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/default.htm

Thanks Joan and TD . . . I agree.

TD … I know better. BTW, I am guessing you are Lakota, Rosebud? If so, and you know Matostandinghigh please say hello for me
Michelle
btw TD Yes.. I know about the Navajo lands and the Navajo Uranium radiation poisoning. I have family in New Mexico. And let’s not forget Los Alamos which, during heavy rains, continues to wash radioactive waste downstream to pueblos.

When I propose insourcing I am not proposing hazardous materials or factories, I would like to see sustainable enterprise.

Answer:

Answer by Ricky Retardo
they speak English