English 中文网 漫画网 爱新闻iNews 翻译论坛
中国网站品牌栏目(频道)
当前位置: Language Tips > Normal Speed News VOA常速

Uncertainty in Washington keeps businesses from hiring

[ 2011-07-18 12:54]     字号 [] [] []  
免费订阅30天China Daily双语新闻手机报:移动用户编辑短信CD至106580009009

As lawmakers in the United States argue over the nation's debt ceiling and spar over who is responsible for the nation's 9.2 percent unemployment rate, many business owners look on in disbelief. They are uncertain about the state of the economy, and are looking for signs of confidence in Washington that it is safe to begin hiring.

Uncertainty in Washington keeps businesses from hiring

At Carlos Interiors in Crofton, Maryland, company owner Cristina Uria sees a glimmer of hope. Business is up 15 percent from last year.

In 2008, when the recession began, Uria's business dropped 60 percent. Like many small business owners, she had to make painful decisions in order to remain open.

"We had to let go probably about four people." said Uria. "During this recession, companies have needed to become leaner and meaner. Any extra fat that we had, and extra expenses, we needed to cut them off."

Uria said there were months when no one walked through the door at her design center. With more than 25 years in business, it was her established clients that kept her afloat. Even though business is picking up, she said she is not ready to hire new employees.

"The government in Washington is not giving us the right signals." she said.

Uria cites the long, drawn out negotiations between the White House and Congress over raising the debt ceiling as an example. She said rhetoric on both sides adds to the confusion.

"The House cannot pass a bill that raises taxes on job creators." said Speaker of the House John Boehner.

"I will not sign a 30-day or a 60-day or a 90-day extension." said President Barack Obama. "It is not going to get easier; it is going to get harder. So, we might as well do it now."

Many economists agree that businesses need a clearer picture of the economy before they will begin hiring again. Ayman El Tarabishy, who teaches economics at George Washington University, said, "Even President Obama coming out and saying you need to raise taxes. It's not that they [business owners] don't understand it, they do understand it. But what they don't understand is the implications from a bottom line because they are still fighting it out. And until this settles down, until they see a clear path forward, they are going to wait."

Cristina Uria said one of the things businesses have learned over the last two years is that they can survive without the workers they lost, giving them less incentive to hire.

"I think most of us have learned that we can stay still with less than what we had before." she said, "Of course, if the economy gets to the point to where it was before, I will need to have more people to handle the amount of work that I need."

Even then, she said any new workers would not be full-time employees. She said the key is confidence. Confidence the economy is growing. Confidence that consumers are willing to spend. And confidence that politicians in Washington will find the right answers to revive the nation's economy.

Related stories:

White house: June jobs numbers 'disappointing'

Outspoken Bachmann launches White House bid

Republican presidential hopefuls focus on Obama, economy

US hiring slows, unemployment rate hits 9.1

(来源:VOA 编辑:崔旭燕)

 
中国日报网英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883631联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。
 

关注和订阅

人气排行

翻译服务

中国日报网翻译工作室

我们提供:媒体、文化、财经法律等专业领域的中英互译服务
电话:010-84883468
邮件:translate@chinadaily.com.cn