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labour | workers’ rights


Conversation: Rob Portman
Rob Portman, the new US trade representative, discusses the US trade deficit with China and the controversial Central America Free Trade Agreement.
Bad and getting worse
As North American citizens, we have an obligation to stand with the people of Central America in their struggle for just and sustainable development. CAFTA’s backers are pushing for a vote in Congress this month. We must send a strong message to our elected officials that CAFTA, and the faulty economic model it represents, is unacceptable.
Racism, rights ’could hurt China FTA’
Racism and left wing politicians focusing on human rights could threaten a proposed free trade deal between Australia and China, a new report says.
Senate panel urges labour unions to fight trade pact
Thailand’s Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday urged labour unions across the country to take a stand against the Thai-Japanese free trade area (FTA) ahead of a new round of talks in July.
Central America lags on labor rights for trade deal
Sitting in a dark room beneath photographs of union leaders slain in the 1980s, workers at a Guatemalan factory say they have been punched, threatened and followed by cars with darkened windows since forming a union in 2003.
Free trade agreement jeopardises local workers
At least 1000 workers may be jobless within months as two Sydney car-part manufacturers plan to close, or move to Asia, as Australia moves towards a free trade agreement with China.
FTA rush ignores workers’ rights
Workers’ rights were being ignored in the rush to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, a leading group of opponents said today.
CAFTA’s profit motive
The fundamental reality of most of the US’ trade accords is that they are designed to maximize corporate profits no matter the cost to the peoples of the signatory nations.
UAE to only amend existing labour law
Dr Khalid Mohammed Al Khazraji, UAE Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, denied reports that the country would be enacting a new labour law, stressing that the UAE Labour Law No. 8 of 1980 is undergoing several amendments. He also denied any link between the amendments under way and proposals submitted by the US delegation in the context of the US-UAE FTA negotiations.
Japan may accept more workers from Thailand
The Japanese government is considering allowing in more Thai workers by relaxing employment conditions for cooks, masseurs and caregivers under a proposed free-trade agreement.
Labour, environment, IPR left out of TIFA text
The US has agreed to Bangladesh’s proposal for exclusion of issues related to labour laws, environment and intellectual property rights from the main text of a proposed trade and investment framework agreement the two countries are likely to sign some time this year.
Japan, Philippines agree to speed up work to sign FTA
Japan and the Philippines have agreed to speed up work to sign a bilateral free trade agreement and compared notes over Japan’s plan to tightening immigration control over Philippine nationals.
UAE, Oman must make new move for FTA, says US
The United Arab Emirates and Oman must make new efforts to qualify for proposed free trade pacts with the United States, a US official said on Friday in response to objections raised by labour groups.
Critique of the proposed Chile-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership (P3 with Singapore)
The New Zealand, Chile and Singapore governments are promoting a P-3 whose primary - and arguably only - beneficiaries are the transnational companies that straddle two of the three countries, including opportunists who locate there to take advantage of the deal. The greatest potential beneficiaries are the agribusiness interests of Fonterra and Nestle as they promote their shared strategy to dominate Latin America’s dairy industry.
Release of NZ-Thai CEP agreement texts
The New Zealand government today published the text of the Closer Economic Partnership agreement between New Zealand and Thailand.
Labour: The spread of bilateral trade agreements
This report looks at major Customs Unions, Free Trade Areas, and economic association agreements around the world, with particular attention to any clauses covering social issues, core labour standards and trade union participation.
Japan, Philippines FTA shows foreign worker hurdles
Japan and the Philippines on Monday clinched a broad free trade agreement (FTA) that would include letting a trickle of nurses into Japan to help cope with a shortage.
Driving a hard bargain: Trade agreements easier said than done
Japan is proving a tough negotiator for countries with their hopes pinned on FTAs.
Japan, Philippines reach FTA accord
Japan and the Philippines reached a basic agreement for a bilateral free-trade agreement after striking a deal on the stickiest issue — steel tariffs.
More trade caution seen with Kerry, more deals under Bush
An election win for Senator John Kerry could make the United States tougher and more cautious on trade, while a victory for President George W Bush would keep the country on the path to more deals, experts say.