Labor Sec'y Tells American Workers They Stink

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao is a piece of work. She had the audacity to tell Parade Magazine that American workers need to be more punctual, obedient and to take care of their personal hygiene in order to compete with the changing world labor market. Grab a bar of soap and some shampoo and see the quote verbatim.

From Parade Magazine:

You could lose your job to a foreign worker—not because he’s cheaper but because he has better workplace skills and discipline. That’s the message Labor Secretary Elaine Chao hears from U.S. executives who are worried about America’s competitive future. While losses are low thus far—one study estimates that only 280,000 jobs in the service industry out of 115 million are outsourced each year—that could change. Beyond the cheaper cost of labor, U.S. employers say that many workers abroad simply have a better attitude toward work. “American employees must be punctual, dress appropriately and have good personal hygiene,” says Chao. “They need anger-management and conflict-resolution skills, and they have to be able to accept direction. Too many young people bristle when a supervisor asks them to do something.”

Are you kidding? Excuse me while I bristle at her remarks, but she is completely out to lunch. Perhaps if she talked to American workers more than those that make their money in the boardroom, she would hear concerns such as low wages, job insecurity and employers that overwork their staff.

Ms. Chao did respond to the adverse reaction of many readers with a clarification that blamed the editors of Parade Magazine. She also forgot to apologize for her tasteless comments. I would love to see her try and survive in today's labor market without her connections to the Republican party, especially with her husband Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).