I think that it is worth mentioning that in time off shoring for low wages, no regulations, etc, will soon be a moot point.

In the 90's, in the IT industry there was a trend to send projects off shore for code writing, etc. There was also a trend to start moving call centers to Ireland and India as the companies could hire highly educated and skilled, but low paid employees. That worked for a while. Now, as we are entering 2006, doing so is no longer an economical quick fix. These sectors have begun to mature and the workers are now demanding better wages, better work conditions, and additional 'Western' benefits.

Now it is no longer a no-brainer to off shore. The prices are up, workers are unionizing, and the gap in costs to off shore work is really starting to narrow. Now a company who wants to off shore a call center is doing so to provide round the clock coverage, or to establish an international presence, not to save money.

I suppose that there will always be kncok off shops, and shoddy goods because there will always be Wal-Mart’s (low prices because we offer low quality) that are looking to make a buck. But the trend is showing that as these off shore industries mature, the prices and quality are starting to rise.

I am sure that in the next five years we will be able to purchase a 'Tank' from India that runs $400 and is worth every penny, while also being able to purchase the 'table cloth' for $40. What I suspect is that Vietnam or another Far East country will step in to fill the shoes left behind by those nations who are maturing in their industries. After all, in 1950 'Made in Japan" meant cheap, now it means quality ... INHO I feel the same thing is going on in the kilt industry.

Brian Mackay