Blaming US President George W Bush's economic policies for the loss of hundreds of jobs to outsourcing, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry has promised steps to discourage the trend.

". . . wages are falling, health care costs are rising, and our great middle class is shrinking. People are working weekends; they are working two jobs, three jobs, and they are still not getting ahead," Kerry said addressing the Democratic Nation Convention in Boston.

• India and Outsourcing: Complete Coverage

"We are told that outsourcing jobs is good for America. We are told that new jobs that pay $9,000 less than the jobs that have been lost is the best we can do. They say that this is the best economy we have ever had," the Democratic leader, who will contest against Bush in the November presidential elections, said on Thursday night.

Kerry promised to close the tax loopholes that reward companies for shipping job overseas. He said he would reward companies that keep the good, paying jobs in the country.

Under his Administration, he said, the US will export products, not jobs.