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Articles
Small business provides employment for approximately 30% of the Australian workforce, with an increasing number of people being hired on a contractual basis.
But is there a real understanding by both the businesses and the contactors of what being a contractor is about and the respobsibilities and liabilities of hiring contractors?
Some employers may think hiring individuals as contractors will mean they are no longer responsible for employee tax obligations such as...........
So why would I talk about this? Simply because our computer systems are such an integral part of most businesses, even micro businesses and unless they are set up by someone who understands what is really needed, it brings delays, data loss and increased frustration into your everyday life.
And, yes while not totally up to date, I do have a good basic understanding of managing computer networks in a small business. My ex husband was a “geek” and I managed a computer business for him for several years. I know enough to know what I don’t know and when to bring in the right IT contractor. I have frequently found the need to help clients sort their computer systems out as part of implementing a management system.
In particular, internet connections, wireless networks and multitasking are very misunderstood..........
* SNAFU = Situation Normal All Fouled Up
There is an informal e-waste industry in India exploiting young children and imposing huge health risks on them. A United Nations report launched in February described how mountains of hazardous waste from electronic products are growing exponentially in developing countries.
In a typical ‘facility’ Asif, aged seven, dismantles electronic equipment in a tiny, dimly-lit unit in east Delhi along with six other boys. They don’t go to school. They extract the valuable components at a huge health risk to themselves.............
Much of the computer equipment that is not “end of life” is refurbished by the not-for-profit (NFP) sector and either sold or given to low income families.
“This form of refurbishment avoids landfill, conserves resources, creates employment and fulfils community demand for low cost computers,” Alison Perizi from Renewable Recyclers, a social enterprise of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Australia, said. “Much of the work… is relatively low skilled, and suited for many of the people NFP agencies assist in finding employment and training.”
The people do NOT pull boards apart or extract metals as was described in my article about India.
However............
In the European Union countries renewable energy accounts for 62% of the new electricity generation capacity and the continent is on target generate approximately 35-40% of overall electricity consumption from renewables by 2020.And depending on the success of policies encouraging community energy efficiency, this would meet the 20% target of all energy generated...........
There was an interesting interview this week by RMIT economist Steve Kates who believes that Keynesian economics no longer works.. He shares a growing view that stimulus packages around the world have increased debt, have not reduced unemployment and have made the crisis worse. He warns that Australia will feel the impact over the next year when China starts unwinding its stimulus package...........
p.p.s. Most of my readers tell me this newsletter is a great way of getting up to date information easily but if you are really snowed under by lots of emails from other sources you can chose to keep in touch by emailling jean@enviroaction.com.au and go onto the monthly list.
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