bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

labour | workers’ rights

Colombian labor leader seeks trade pact delay
22-Jan-2011 People’s World
Congress should delay the proposed US-Colombia "free trade" agreement until a key Colombian law that leads to workers’ oppression changes and law enforcement there improves, a top Colombian union leader says.
US-South Korea FTA: an attack on workers in both countries
22-Jan-2011 Workers World
On both sides of the Pacific, unions are raising their voices against this rotten deal. The AFL-CIO has come out against it, along with the Steelworkers, Machinists, Communication workers, United Electrical workers and International Longshore Workers while the KMWU, the KCTU and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions remain steadfastly opposed
KORUS FTA: wrong deal, wrong time
31-Dec-2010 Korea Times
"The labor movement is not opposed to trade or globalization ― but our country cannot continue to negotiate trade agreements that favor corporate profits over people," says AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO, Steelworkers split with auto union on Korea trade deal
10-Dec-2010 Bloomberg
The AFL-CIO, the largest US union group, and the United Steelworkers oppose the Obama administration’s trade agreement with South Korea, splitting with unions representing auto and farm workers.
With UAW’s King for cover, Obama backhands labor in Korea trade deal
9-Dec-2010 Labor Notes
UAW sources suggest King felt he had to back the trade deal as payback to Obama for pumping billions into failing automakers in 2009—although the bailout of Chrysler and GM laid off tens of thousands of workers and cut pay—in half—for future auto workers.
US union backing helps Korea trade pact chances
9-Dec-2010 NY Times
An unusual split in the US labor movement has developed over President Obama’s proposed free-trade pact with South Korea, with two powerful unions backing the deal — a development that experts say will make Congressional ratification far more likely.
UAW President: Critics of Korea treaty don’t represent workers
8-Dec-2010 In These Times
United Auto Workers President Bob King sparked outraged among progressives and the labor movement by endorsing the Korea Free Trade Agreement. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that the treaty will cost 159,000 American jobs over the next five years.
Debate urged on TPP text
8-Dec-2010
If the proposed nine-country Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is one "for the 21st century" as negotiators are calling it, its text should be open so New Zealanders can see what their Government is planning to agree to, say groups concerned about the talks in Auckland.
UAW under fire for trade deal support
7-Dec-2010 Politico
Organized labor in the US is in an uproar over the new free trade agreement with South Korea, with some union leaders accusing United Auto Workers president Bob King of embracing a deal to curry favor with a White House that saved the UAW with its $80 billion bailout of the auto industry.
Free-trade deal with EU could cost thousands of Canadian factory jobs
27-Oct-2010 Globe & Mail
A free-trade agreement between Canada and the European Union would deal another blow to Canada’s already battered manufacturing sector, wiping out thousands of jobs in food processing, apparel making and the auto industry, according to an analysis of a potential agreement that will be released Wednesday.
CLC statement on negotiations toward a CETA between Canada and the EU
19-Oct-2010 CLC
The Canadian Labour Congress would support an agreement between Canada and the EU embodying the most positive features of the European social model, but this is not on offer. Instead, the CETA would constrain the ability of governments in Canada to meet their democratic responsibilities to citizens and residents.
Report: Free trade deals don’t increase exports
17-Sep-2010 AFL-CIO Now
A new report shows that the US has had better luck getting "Made in the USA" goods into countries other than its 17 FTA partners
Nursing exam to include English translation
25-Aug-2010
A health ministry panel on Tuesday compiled a set of changes in the national nursing examination that include providing English translations to explain difficult Japanese terms for foreigners.
Not-so-free trade agreements
18-Aug-2010
The flavour of protectionism is spreading in the US sometimes at the cost of impeding market access for trade partners. The recent law signed by US President Barack Obama to raise work visa fees will hit Indian companies immediately and US companies with global operations in the medium and long term.
Japan befuddled by elderly care debate
12-Aug-2010
Wahyudin dreams of becoming a full-fledged caregiver, if not a certified nurse, in Japan. But the Indonesian worker must first pass the required Japanese-language national certification examination, which is far from easy.
Japan’s Gingerly Caregiver Plan
11-Aug-2010
With the world’s fastest-aging population, Japan has a growing need for nurses and other caregivers to staff its elderly-care facilities. Asian nations have many well-trained nurses and other caregivers who need jobs. The solution: import more nurses and care workers from Southeast Asia to fill gaping holes in the health care system.
Woes of foreign nurses, caregivers in Japan
11-Aug-2010
Jusuf Anwar, Indonesian ambassador to Japan, has bewailed the overly stringent Japanese national examinations for foreign caregivers and nurses. Out of the 500 Indonesians who took the examinations in 2008 and 2009, only two have passed and have become certified nurses.
Politics behind trade
11-Aug-2010
When politicians and bureaucrats make frequent remarks about the welfare and interests of citizens, one senses another election season is coming. That seems to be the case with the United States these days.
Trade pacts hurting Maine, manufacturers tell top US trade rep
8-Aug-2010
On the second day of a two-day visit to Maine, the president’s top trade advisor has been hearing from some members of the state’s manufacturing sector about how trade policy has been hurting them.
US plans trade complaint against Guatemala
31-Jul-2010 NY Times
The Obama administration announced Friday that it would file a complaint against Guatemala claiming labor law violations under the Central America Free Trade Agreement, the first time Washington has pursued such a case against a free-trade partner.