Everyone must do everything they can to prevent job losses in these trying economic times - but we should not allow demagogues to confuse workers by claiming they will prevent retrenchments.

Everyone must do everything they can to prevent job losses in these trying economic times - but we should not allow demagogues to confuse workers by claiming they will prevent retrenchments.

Sadly but truly, only those with no understanding of economics could possibly assert that workers will be protected as businesses fail and the government income dries up.

We expect the unions and all others defending workers to fight tooth and nail to mitigate the effects of the inevitable job losses as ever more businesses struggle to survive this year.

That's their job.

But we must also face the simple economic fact that we are part of a global economy that's melting away day by day. Now we must all work together to mitigate the effects of this disaster.

Only careful planning and a thorough understanding of the problems our economy faces will allow us to devise a plan that won't compound the effects of worldwide recession. One misstep here could drag us down for years.

Still, cold economic facts and ruthless competition with foreign rivals should never blind the captains of industry to the human misery each lost job inflicts on the victims.

The government should ensure the pain is fairly distributed between the have-nots and the privileged few who make these decisions.