Chrysler's two near-death experiences (in 1980 and 1990) at least produced efficient labour practices.

ECONOMIST: The quiet man

Yet the big-brand companies still claim to have proper codes of conduct for labour practices.

ECONOMIST: Sportswear

Calpers' review in February looked at a range of issues, including labour practices, political risk, market volatility and regulation, and investor protection.

BBC: US fund admits Philippines error

Australia might then start to shed its reputation for antiquated labour practices.

ECONOMIST: A dockside farewell

But, in an interesting illustration of how modern campaigns by activists against companies can gather momentum, the top-tier companies now complain that lesser ones get away with poor labour practices, and so impede progress in the whole sector.

ECONOMIST: Sportswear

Around 40% of the network still uses outdated analogue technology. (Argentina, which privatised its phones in 1991, has an almost fully digital network.) That, plus equally outdated labour practices, has meant that Brazil's telecoms industry has an average of one full-time worker per 108 lines, less than half the productivity achieved in the United States.

ECONOMIST: A clear line from Brazil

It has emphasised that it is trying to get to grips with a budget deficit and working practices which were created when Labour was in power.

BBC: News Online

South Africa is ranked 125th in the world in terms of inflexible hiring and firing practices, and 121st when it comes to labour-employer relations.

ECONOMIST: Outstripped

But the Marks and Spencer affair has given ammunition to those who want uniformity in labour protection and see Britain as an unhealthy bastion of American-style employment practices.

ECONOMIST: You��re fired

Whatever happens to the hapless phone sleuths at the News of the World, few doubt that the pressure for tighter regulation wll grow: Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, is the latest to call for at least a review of press practices.

ECONOMIST: The courts will decide the price of ending the affair