[CTC] TPP | Next round of talks set for Los Angeles in June

[Citizens Trade Campaign]

CTU media release

EMBARGOED UNTIL 03 00h (3AM) Monday 15 March 2010 

 

Trade unions in TPP countries call for a fairer trade framework friendly to
working people

 

In an historic move, peak bodies of Trans Pacific trade unions have called
for a new and fairer framework for trade and investment agreements. 

 

The unions are from countries which are due to begin negotiations today in
Melbourne to extend the Trans Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement. The
parties to the negotiations are New Zealand, Australia, the United States,
Chile, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.

 

NZCTU President Helen Kelly, one of the signatories to the Declaration, said
that it is time that such agreements focused on the needs of working people.
"There is a high risk that this agreement will make it more difficult for
future governments to make the changes that are needed to improve the lives
of working people," she said. "Some of the directions proposed would
threaten public services, make medicines more expensive, and make it more
difficult for us to regulate our financial sector."

 

"We are calling for an agreement that puts good jobs and the protection of
our rights at work first."

 

Kelly said that the NZCTU has been in active consultation in recent months
with the AFL-CIO in the United States and the Australian Council of Trade
Unions.  There has also been increasing contact between unions right across
the scope of the proposed trade agreement.

 

"This is a very significant development. It means that working people across
the region are coming together in a strong voice for fair trade."

 

"While we support increasing trade opportunities we cannot support an
agreement which further undermines well paid work and social protections,
and which is negotiated without open and wide consultation with unions and
other community representatives." 

 

"The CTU is committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the Government
and business interests throughout the TPP negotiation process."

 

The Declaration calls for protection of public services. It opposes
proposals that would limit the ability of government to regulate the
financial sector, and calls for full and enforceable compliance with
multilateral environmental agreements. 

 

The Declaration calls for transparency in the negotiation and ratification
process, replacing the usual closed doors.

 

Kelly continued: "Protection of labour rights must be an essential
ingredient of trade, and the TPP should provide enforceable processes to
ensure all parties adhere to International Labour Organisation (ILO) core
labour conventions."

 

The unions also oppose proposals that would give foreign investors greater
rights than those enjoyed by domestic investors.

 

Kelly said that unions will continue to work closely together on these
matters throughout the negotiations. 

 

ENDS

 

For further information contact:

 

Fraser Pettigrew, Communications and Campaigns Advisor

04 802 3817 / 027 243 7031 / fraserp at nzctu.org.nz 

 

Helen Kelly, President, CTU

04 802 3812 / 021 776 741

 

www.union.org.nz 

 

 

 

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