New York: Outsourcing of US jobs to countries including India is very unpopular with Americans but most agree that protecting unskilled and semi-skilled jobs is not good for economy, according a survey released today (Apr 8, 2004).

Overwhelming number of Americans think that using India's information technology staff and call centre workers to replace American staff was a "bad idea".

The online survey conducted by Harris Interactive, shows that most people recognize that protecting unskilled or semi-skilled jobs is not the key to a successful economy.

A 71 to 13 per cent majority agree that "the long term success of the US economy requires that we have a highly educated workforce who do highly skilled jobs here which cannot easily be done abroad."

Large number of Americans also think that using Chinese and Mexican workers to manufacture items earlier produced in the United States was a bad idea.

A 49 to 38 per cent plurality agrees that if companies get work done less expensively abroad, that reduces their cost which means consumers pay lower prices.

A similar 45 to 35 per cent also agrees "if we prevent American companies from getting work done wherever it is least expensive, that makes it harder for them to compete with foreign companies".

But Democrats would need to work hard to cash on this feeling among people in coming elections as 18 per cent say neither has a good policy on the issue and another 26 per cent were "not sure."