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labour | workers’ rights

Jamaica: Trade unions want EPA signing delayed
28-Aug-2008 Jamaica Observer
The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) says it will seek to delay the signing of the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), between CARIFORUM and the European Union, to allow for a review and possible renegotiation of the agreement.
Labor’s opposition continues to Colombia free trade pact
27-Aug-2008 PWW
While Colombian representatives lobby the Democratic and Republican conventions in support of the Bush administration’s Colombia Free Trade Act, the US labor movement continues its opposition to the pact, signed in November 2006 but put on hold by Congress last April.
Labour unions in Trinidad and Tobago prepare for economic shutdown
26-Aug-2008 Caribbean Net News
Labour unions in Trinidad and Tobago are gearing up for a nationwide shut down of the country on September 8. They are protesting rising crime, uncontrollable food prices and increasing violence in the country, and calling for Trinidad and Tobago not to rush into signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Labour leaders report back: No to Colombia FTA
11-Aug-2008 rabble
We visited Colombia from July 18-25 on behalf of one million Canadian public sector workers. Our mission was to see for ourselves whether our opposition to the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement was justified. What we saw and learned confirmed that we are right to oppose this deal and to speak out against it on behalf of Colombian workers and their families.
Japan gets lift from Indonesian nurses
9-Aug-2008
About 200 Indonesian care-givers and nurses have arrived in Japan to take part in the two nations’ economic partnership agreement, officials said.
Viewpoint: Labour mobility deals
9-Aug-2008 Islands Business
Under pressure to sign on to new free trade agreements, Pacific Islands governments interested in securing positive outcomes for their peoples see deals on labour mobility as potential development gains. But is this the right approach? And what are the potential costs?
India to sign labour agreements with Malaysia, Oman and Bahrain
9-Aug-2008 PIB
India has clinched labour agreements with Malaysia, Oman and Bahrain for protection and welfare of Indian emigrants in these countries.
Calling for solidarity - Lee Myung-bak government repression against the KCTU and Fundamental Trade Union Rights
7-Aug-2008 KCTU
When KCTU called for general strike on July 2nd, renegotiation of the April 18 Protocol on US beef import to reflect food safety concerns was declared as one of priorities of strike aims. The Ministry of Labor and prosecutor explained that this was the main reason that it was illegal. This is a repetition of the South Korean government’s very narrow interpretation that the only legal aims of strikes be related to wages and working conditions.
Colombia deal side agreements under microscope
6-Aug-2008 Embassy Magazine
With the Canada-Colombia deal done, but the text still kept secret, some say that the provisions on labour and the environment at least establish a record of commitment, while others say that without enforceable complaint mechanisms the side agreements amount to little more than lip service.
EAC to carry out worker’s survey
5-Aug-2008
The East African Community is to conduct a regional manpower survey to establish the workforce base in the regional market ahead of coming into effect of the Common Market for East Africa in 2010.
Official: Mexico open to new NAFTA talks
2-Aug-2008 Chicago Tribune
The Mexican government dismisses talk of disbanding NAFTA as politics, the country’s economy minister said Friday, but it would back the idea of a new round of North American trade talks, with the aim of including issues such as the environment and labor.
Trade unions call for renegotiation of EPA
2-Jul-2008 Antigua Sun
Regional trade unionists have called for a review and renegotiation of the recently initiated Economic Partnership Agreement, negotiated between the EU and the Caribbean Forum countries, Caribbean Community member states and the Dominican Republic.
Govt ‘must include workers in EPA talks’
1-Jul-2008
The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) has written to the interim Government to include workers in talks regarding the various trade agreements Fiji is treaty to.
EU multi-level trade policy: neither coherent nor development-friendly
26-Jun-2008
The EU is demanding far-reaching trade concessions by developing countries which will help to increase their vulnerability. To merely include some paragraphs that all parties will respect and promote human and worker’s rights is just plain insufficient.
Colombia: Two more trade unionists assassinated
25-Jun-2008 Scoop
Less than one week after the latest ITUC protest to President Uribe about the violence and repression against trade unions in Colombia, two more trade unionists have been murdered.
Labour movement left out of EPA negotiations
25-Jun-2008
Senior Trade Union Leaders in the region are upset that the Caribbean Labour Movement was not afforded enough imput in shaping the European Union CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) initialled last December.
Wrangling over Colombia trade deal continues
25-Jun-2008 Embassy Magazine
A sharply divided Commons’ trade committee has taken a hard line on the Canada-Colombia free trade pact, but supports an eventual agreement.
Europe drive vs workers assailed
24-Jun-2008 ABS-CBN
A regional coalition of civil-society organizations in Southeast Asia has criticized the European Parliament decision mandating the forcible deportation of undocumented workers in Europe. The decision negates the goals of the proposed EU free-trade deal with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), seeking to open trade and investments including the seamless entry of Asean workers to Europe.
Asian women workers’ declaration on free trade agreements
23-Jun-2008 CAW
There is increasing and irrefutable evidence that free trade deals devalue and homogenise cultures, stunt economic development, displace communities and are major drivers of increasing rural and urban poverty. Women are disproportionately affected.
One million South Korean people and workers protested against the Unfair US beef import agreement and the neoliberal government policies!
17-Jun-2008 KCTU
On June 10th, around one million people and workers gathered to demand renegotiation of US beef import agreement across the country. In case of Seoul, around 500,000 people participated in the candlelight vigil and march.