In other words, technology does not make up for Europe's high labour costs.

But they can always try to reduce their labour costs.

The increase in labour cost also led to inflation throughout the economy.

In Germany, labour costs have been falling since the same period.

In my country, for example, there is the failure to reduce labour costs.

As labour costs or political conditions change, the work can easily be switched.

Clearly you want to loose your job to lower labour cost countries in Asia?

Actually, it is rather surprising that the labour cost hasn't gone up more, especially in view of the national rates.

Calls are growing for a tougher stand against direct labour costs, which amount to about $15 billion a year.

This has gone up in virtually the same proportion as the labour cost.

China was initially one of the lowest labour costs known to other countries.

The important factor, however, is unit labour costs, and they are decided by productivity.

When you look at unit labour costs, they have done a tremendous job in that respect.

For many companies this can mean a saving of up to 10% per year on energy, maintenance and labour costs.

Not a word on the question of labour costs.

Contrast that with Germany, where unit labour costs rose just 3% over the same period.

This table includes data on unit labour cost in percentage change over previous period.

Indeed, firms are still trying to find ways to slash labour costs.

Member States must therefore make a serious start on reducing secondary labour costs.

At the proposed Mercedes plant, the labour cost per car will be about a third of what it is back home.

It is one thing to describe the key role played by rising labour costs and another to explain why they rose.

Germany manages to produce cars despite its high labour costs.

Therefore labour costs have never been simply an "economic" or "commercial" matter, but also a moral, cultural and political issue.

It is this current labour cost which determines the value of output.

The search for lower labour costs have led to significant changes in the image of global apparel industry.