11.   A number of large companies, including consumer products manufacturers Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Dial Corp., recently announced plans to dismiss workers to save money.

12.   But companies are aggressively seeking mergers so they can dismiss workers and keep costs low.

13.   But under Korean law, it is illegal for a company to dismiss workers unless the company is in dire straits.

14.   Current law now forbids all but most financially stressed companies from dismissing workers.

15.   Currently, only companies facing bankruptcy can easily dismiss workers.

16.   Currently, only companies facing bankruptcy can dismiss workers.

17.   Construction equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. said it may have to dismiss workers or shut down production of some models to combat slowing demand.

18.   European employers, aware of the legal difficulties of dismissing unneeded workers, have been reluctant to hire, even when possible, Chirac noted.

19.   Even though those workers were dismissed four or more years ago, none of them have been reinstated because Avondale is appealing.

20.   Even as many large companies continued to dismiss workers, small companies were hiring.