Nissan need to recall 2 million cars

TOKYO (AP) October 28, 2010 — Nissan is recalling 2.14 million vehicles worldwide including the popular March and Mycra subcompacts for an ignition problem that may stall the engine — its third-largest recall ever.

No accidents have been reported that are suspected of being caused by the defect, according to Yokohama-based Nissan Motor Co. The recall affects cars in the the United States, Europe and Japan.

A problem was found in an ignition-system part called the relay for vehicles produced from August 2003 through July 2006, including small cars like the March, Cube and Note, and about a dozen other models, such as the Tiida sedan, Titan pickup and Infiniti QX56 luxury model.

In extreme cases, the engine will stall and won't be able to start, said Nissan spokesman Mitsuru Yonekawa.

Of the recalled vehicles, nearly 835,000 were produced in Japan, 762,000 in North America, and 354,000 in Europe.

Nissan, which is allied with Renault SA of France, did not disclose a cost for the recall, but it may be relatively cheap requiring just a half hour to fix.

The cars were produced in Japan, the U.S., Great Britain, Spain, China and Taiwan.

The massive numbers involved in recent recalls are linked to cost-cutting strategies that result in the same parts being used in many models.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's biggest automaker, has suffered a spate of recalls over the last year, totaling more than 10 million vehicles worldwide for sticky gas pedals, floor mats that can trap accelerators, brake fluid leaks and other problems.

source AP

RP may stop sending domestic workers abroad

RP may stop sending domestic workers abroad
By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines may be forced to stop the deployment of household workers (HSWs) abroad early next year as a result of the new migrant workers law, a ranking official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said recently.

Foreign Affairs undersecretary Esteban Conejos admitted that many countries hiring Filipino household workers and other skilled workers are having difficulty complying with the provisions of the new law.

Conejos said under the new migrant workers law, the deployment of household workers is only allowed in countries with existing bilateral agreement with the Philippines or mandated certification from the DFA.

However, Conejos said a number of countries hiring these workers are unlikely to comply with the certification requirement of the government.

To address the problem, Conejos said the government is even considering “quality certification” or certification by skill, thus eliminating the vulnerable sectors.

“We are trying to be optimistic about this, but considering the historical evidence, we might not be so confident with respect to certain sectors. Ironically, the sector (vulnerable sector) that Congress wanted to protect with this amendment might just be the sector that would be stripped of formal protection,” Conejos explained.

He added that restriction in deployment may also trigger a rise in illegal deployment of HSWs.

Meanwhile, the recruitment industry warned against the imposition of a ban in the deployment of HSWs abroad.

 

Recruitment leader Lito Soriano said stopping the deployment of HSWs might result in a backlash from foreign countries which may exert economic and political pressure on the Philippines.

 

Labor Undersecretary Hans Cacdac, however, maintained that the Philippine government has no plans yet to ban the deployment of HSWs abroad.

To Read More at The Philippine Star