Percent change in hourly compensation costs in U.S. dollars for production workers in manufacturing, U.S. and selected countries, 2000 Country Percent change Italy -11.7 Belgium -11.7 Germany -10.3 Switzerland -9.8 Australia -9.6 France -8.9 U. K. -3.6 Canada 3.3 U.S. 3.9 Japan 5.3 Taiwan 6.4 Korea 15.3 Mexico 17.7