Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: Idaho Sears closing down, without official notice? Kmart closing in South Carolina!

08 April 2013 (17:27 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

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The Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears used to be located in the old vanished Pocatello Mall.  It was the last store remaining in the Pocatello, Idaho, location before moving into the Pine Ridge Mall, in Chubbuck.  The Pocatello Mall was torn down and replaced with the ‘new’ Fred Meyer plaza (for some reason a lot of people confuse the struggling Westwood Mall with the old Pocatello Mall).

In South Carolina, the second and remaining Kmart in Greenville will close down in May. 74 people will lose their jobs. It was revealed only because South Carolina requires a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (apparently Idaho does not).  The closing of the two Greenville Kmarts will affect at least 140 employees.

The Calumet City Sears, in Illinois, will close by June. 164 employees affected!

Here’s the updated list of Sears/Kmart store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Sears going’ down.

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart.

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, Idaho, Technology, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: Walmart & Sears end portrait studios!

08 April 2013 (15:01 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

In what is old news to me, the main streamer U.S. media has finally realized that portrait studios in Walmart and Sears have disappeared.

The portrait studio at the Chubbuck, Idaho, Walmart quietly shut down months ago, no mention in the local media.

According to a report out of Florida, the company that operated those studios, Canadian based CPI, is out-o-business.  The report says CPI was done in by the digital camera age, because more people are doing their own family portraits using digital cameras and their computers.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, East Asian Front: DPRK officially withdraws communist workers from KIR!

08 April 2013 (13:55 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

After nine years of operation Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is officially pulling out 53000 communist workers from the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR).

Because the cheap North Korean workers are the overwhelming majority of workers at the KIR, the move effectively shuts down operations for capitalist South Korean companies.

Republic of Korean officials are holding North Korea responsible for effectively destroying South Korean companies, and said they “…will look into areas as compensations for businesses affected.”

Business/Economics, International

H7N9 update: Economic toll being felt!

08 April 2013 (13:43 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The H7N9 outbreak in China is affecting several industries.

The Nanshan Wholesale Poultry commodity market reports a 30% decline in trading.

Restaurants in China, including KFC and McDonald’s, report huge drops in orders for chicken products.

Reports that sales of other meats are dropping as well.

The Public Health Agency of the Federal Government of Canada is warning people about traveling to China.  The airline industry is bracing for a drop in passengers flying to China. Already the price of stocks of airline companies are dropping.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, Economic Front: United Kingdom rations baby formula, trying to stop sales to China?

08 April 2013 (13:29 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“We would like to apologize to parents for any inconvenience caused by this limit. We know that most parents only buy one pack at a time, so we hope that the impact of this limit on U.K. parents will be minimal.”-Danone statement

Apparently people in the economic strapped United Kingdom have been buying bulk quantities of baby formulas and reselling them to families in China.

Chinese baby formula makers are still having problems with contaminated products, so foreign made formulas are in big demand. However, officials in U.K. apparently don’t want individual Brits making much needed money off selling baby formula to Chinese.

But it’s not just United Kingdom, Australia has already banned such behavior as well.  Officials say they’re concerned with violations of trade agreements.

But one formula maker, Danone, revealed the real reason for the retail store rations in the British empire: They are trying to boost their own sales in China and they don’t want the competition!

But another formula maker, Nestle, is challenging the claims of formula shortages by Danone and U.K. officials: “We do not have any evidence of bulk purchase of SMA for export, and we are in the process of contacting all our retail customers to confirm this, and to notify them that we do not have – and do not anticipate – any stock issues for powdered infant milks. We would like to reassure our consumers that we are not seeking to impose any limits on the sale of our formula, and any decision to do so is at the sole discretion of the retailer. Contrary to reports, Nestle UK has never requested that retailers limit the supply of SMA powdered infant milks sold to consumers.”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: Australia, New Zealand give up U.S. Dollar! Join China!

08 April 2013 (11:40 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“This is a huge advantage for Australia not only for our big businesses, but also for our small and medium enterprises that want to do business here.”-Julia Gillard, Australia’s Prime Minister

China and Australia have given up using the U.S. dollar to conduct business between themselves.

The major banks of Australia, New Zealand and China have agreed to use their own money; the Australian dollar and the Chinese yuan/renminbi.

Bank officials blame the U.S. dollar for the high cost of doing international business, avoiding it will save them money: “It certainly improves convenience for our customers and takes cost out for our customers to have the direct convertibility between the Australian dollar and the Chinese renminbi.”-Gail Kelly, Australia’s Westpac Bank

The ANZ bank is also taking part.  ANZ stands for Australia and New Zealand.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 20 February 2013: More health care cuts! Tens of thousands more laid off! More cuts for California!

The U.S. Army announced it will layoff 122063 civilian workers!!! Most of those layoffs will affect the states of Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania and California.

In Florida, the Army Navy Surplus Market in Tampa closed down. The store had been in business for 75 years. The owner retired.  In Jacksonville, Beaches Wings and Grill closed own, without notice and without explanation.

In Oregon, the Silverton Hospital laid off nine employees in their new cath lab: “People aren’t really using cath labs anymore because there are really good medications you can take, or insurance are now requiring that a patient take those medications prior to having a stent or going to the cath lab.”

In Maine, Franklin Memorial Hospital laid off 40 employees. They blame it on the fact the hospital is losing money.

In New York, 230 people were told they are about to lose their jobs! The Journal Register owns several newspapers that are about to be put out of print because of a takeover by 21st Century CMH Acquisition.  In Auburn, the Daikin McQuay heating and air conditioner factory announced they will shut down in 2014. 352 employees affected! The company is moving operations to Tennessee. New Hampshire based Vette Thermal to layoff 84 people in Ontario. They want to move operations to New Hampshire.

In Texas, NRG let go a total of 116 people in Houston! It’s the result of their merger with GenOn.  Between the two companies at least 500 people will be laid off!  Also in Houston, Sawyer Park sports bar closed. Local media say the bar lost business after fighting incidents and claims of racism.

Semiconductor maker Intersil laying off at least 18% of its employees.  Company officials said they needed to make their “customers” happy.   They probably mean their stockholders.

In Ohio, the Upper Arlington school district needs to cut $3 million USD from its budget, so that means layoffs. At least 52 employees will be affected.

In California, the Paradise Unified School District laying off nearly 15 employees. Declining enrollment and funding being blamed. In Rosemead, Bahooka tiki themed restaurant closed down. Apparently the new owner didn’t like the tiki theme. And the Buenas Vidas Youth Ranch closed down due to lack of funding.

Mexican owned DAK Americas closing its North Carolina factory.  600 employees affected!  Apparently the monomer, resin and fiber maker does not want to pay to upgrade the aging factory.

In Illinois, Helix Camera closed down after 49 years in business. The owner said his wife threatened him with divorce if he didn’t retire.  He also blamed the digital age.

Texas based CiCi’s Pizza closing their Cedar Rapids, Iowa, restaurant.  The owner of the franchise quit.

The Card Party store in Wayzata, Minnesota, closed down.  After seven years the owners says “It’s just not working out financially.”

Cheli’s Chili Bar of Dearborn, Michigan, closed down. The owners didn’t give an explanation.

Whitley Products laying off 86 people in Plymouth, Indiana. The company wants to close down their factory by May. In Evansville, the Showplace South second run movie theater out-o-business. The owners say they can’t afford to upgrade to digital.

In Charlottesville, Virginia, the Blue Ridge Eco Shop closed down. The owner said he could not renew the mall lease.

In Utah, the Dillard’s anchor store at the Cache Valley Mall gone for good.   Company officials told local media that they’re closing stores across the country because of crashing sales.

In Montana, another closing that the Christian god can’t stop. The Saint Paul Infant Center closed after 35 years of operations. Local media failed to explain why the Lutheran care center was closing.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

H7N9 update: Economic domino effect of poultry ban hits United States!

07 April 2013 (14:54 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

“This is a liquidating market until we run into a crop problem.”-Rich Feltes, R.J. O’Brien & Associates

Already tens of thousands of poultry have been killed off in China, to prevent the spread of the new deadly virus. Poultry markets are being shut down.  Not only does this directly affect the economy of China, it’s affecting farmers in the United States.

Commodity prices, mainly for U.S. soybeans, are dropping, because China is a major market for those U.S. crops.  The reasoning goes that if there’s no chickens to cook, then people won’t need the soybean oil to cook them in.

Up ’till now most cooking oil prices have been going up because of increased demand, and in some areas reduced supply.  China is the number one importer of soybeans, making up about 60% of the world market, so imagine what happens to soybean prices if they greatly reduce their purchases! (good for retail consumers, bad for farmers)

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 19 February 2013: Proof that taxpayer funded casinos can’t save your economy! More health care jobs cut! Thousands more people losing their jobs!

Bissett Produce, in North Carolina, bankrupt.  The company was started in 1933, marketing mainly sweet potatoes.  Company officials blame declining revenues and increased debt. 40 to 100 employees affected.

Another video game company lays off employees. Activision laid off 30 people in California.  Because of the bad economy company officials plan on releasing fewer games this year. And reports that Nanosolar laid off 75% of its employees in San Jose. Company officials would only say “…the company is in a quiet period and will not be issuing any formal statements.”

Powell Steel, in Pennsylvania, bankrupt. Company officials blame declining revenues and increased debt.  They say they’re $6 million USD in debt. 75 employees affected.  Also, TE Connectivity laid off up to 80 employees. They plan on laying off up to 200 employees in the next few months! Company officials blame a decline in demand for electronics.  The city of Jeanette forced to layoff employees. The city is facing a budget shortfall of half a million dollars, and a court ordered settlement of $200000 after they dissed a resident over permits and taxes.

NewPage paper mill, in Wisconsin, laid off 300 people! Company officials blame the bad economy for a decline in demand for paper.  And Bergmann Pharmacy, in Middleton, closed down. A store manager said “Insurance reimbursements continue to decrease, and it’s become difficult to stay profitable with decreased reimbursements.”  (blame Obama/Romney Care)

Revel Casino, in New Jersey, threatening bankruptcy.  The casino has been open for less than 12 months.  It cost $2.4 billion to build ($300 million from state taxpayers!).  Reports say the casino ended last year with a loss, and is at least $1.5 billion in debt. Some blame Hurricane Sandy, but the casino is also facing lawsuits.

In Florida, Perry Hotel lays off 138 employees.  Company officials say it’s due to major remodeling of the hotel. STK Miami Service, which runs a restaurant in the hotel, laid off 84 employees.  And after 20 years the Georgio’s restaurant closing down in Tallahassee. The restaurant owner blamed the closing on the property owner.

In Tennessee, LifePoint hospitals warned of layoffs for its 29000 employees country wide!  LifePoint also revised its expected 2013 earnings downward.

In New York, Lakeside Hospital laying off at least 120 employees! The hospital is being restructured.  U.S. based military contractor, Dyncorp, laying off 150 people at Fort Drum!  The company is consolidating operations. And Kayex Crystal Growing Technologies factory, in Rochester, closing down in May. 65 employees affected. Company officials say the solar power market is crashing.

Another military contractor, General Dynamics, laid off 29 workers at a munitions factory in Ohio.  Also, Boardman’s Ice Zone ice rink closing down in May, due to lack of profits.

General Electric laying off 500 people at their Appliance Park in Kentucky!  GE blames the bad economy for a decline in refrigerator sales.

In Michigan, Demmer laid off 90 employees. Company officials blamed a slowdown in orders from the defense industry, oil/gas industry and commercial heavy fabrication. Old Navy closing a clothing store in Benton Harbor. In Jackson, the Granary restaurant closed down.

In Buckhead, Georgia, Lenox Square Grill closed down.

The Blue Wasabi Sushi & Martini Bar closed in the Hilton Village, in Arizona.

In Colorado, after 25 years Loveland’s Anthology Book store closed down. The owners said sales sucked: “You can’t run a bookstore if you’re not selling books.”-Stephanie Stauder

Another book store closing, in Indiana. Mudsock Books & Curiosity Shoppe closed because the economy sucks: “The money has flowed in the wrong direction for almost five years. We couldn’t seem to get the volume we needed, and never even broke even.”-Cindy Rushton

Also in Indiana, Bonnie & Clyde’s Soda Shop closed down. The owner was trying to purchase the building he was operating out of, but the deal fell through, and he said it wasn’t worth it to keep paying the rent.

In New Hampshire, Portsmouth’s Upper Crust pizza place out-o-business.

Germany company BASF, shutting down its Henderson, Nebraska, operation.  BASF is also ending operations in Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.  The problem is the BASF plants were making a specific product that BASF was unable to find a marketing partner to sell them.

In Minnesota, the Saint Rose Christian school closing down.  The school’s pastor blamed it on declining enrollment and lack of funding from the church.

In Kansas, Zales Jewelers closed down in the Hutchison Mall.  No reason given.  Zales is based in Kansas.

Blockbuster video store revealed it will close at least 20 stores in Texas.

Alaska Communications ending operations in Fairbanks, although company officials claim they won’t layoff any employees.

Business/Economics, International

World War 3, East Asian Front: More capitalist companies shut down in the KIR! Capitalist employees claim they’ve not been forced to leave!

07 April 2013 (20:56 UTC-07 Tango 06 April 2013)/26 Jumada l-Ula 1434/18 Farvardin 1391/27 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

The DPRK’s blockade of the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR) is having an effect on the ROK capitalist companies operating there.

At this point four South Korean companies have had to cease operations. Three of them were involved with textiles, the fourth made machinery.

On Saturday a South Korean employee, who finally left the KIR, said he doesn’t recall hearing the North Koreans ordering him to leave:  “The security has tightened in the North, but I haven’t received any order to leave the complex. Our company is still in operation because we have some materials left. But in the next three to four days, we will probably reach a critical point.”-Kim Jin-ho

On Friday the estimated 53000 North Koreans working at the KIR refused to show up for work.  ROK officials say there is a little more than 500 South Koreans still working in the complex.