French cardinal criticizes relocation of companies to other countries

Published: 2005-01-06

MARSEILLE, France (CNS) -- A French cardinal said the growing relocation of companies abroad risks "reducing man to a merchandise" and provoking "desperate competition" for scare resources. "Enterprises are operating what they virtuously call a 'policy of delocalization' -- one might ask which values this fruit of economic globalization is serving," said Cardinal Bernard Panafieu of Marseille. "When will there be a rebellion of human solidarity for a true social cohesion? When will this solidarity be considered alongside the other factors which determine economic choices?" he asked. In a Dec. 31 editorial on his diocesan Web site, the cardinal said even profitable firms were forced to "fight competition" and seek out new markets by "transferring skills and technologies abroad." He added that whole areas of his diocese were threatened with industrial breakdown, as companies engaged in "desperate, frenzied competition" to improve shareholder dividends and cut back on salaries and social payouts.

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