Key’s attack on workers rights affects NZ trade opportunities

Labour’s spokesperson for Trade Maryan Street said Richard Trumka's decision to "indefinitely postpone" his trip to New Zealand because of the Government's attack on workers' rights will hinder New Zealand’s chances of building powerful allies in Washington for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

Mr Trumka , the President of the central union organisation in the USA, the AFL-CIO, has decided to postpone his trip due to an "ongoing labour dispute" between the Key Government and the Council of Trade Unions.

"I was present with Tim Groser, Phil Goff and Helen Kelly when we met with Richard Trumka last year to persuade him to come to New Zealand to discuss with business and unions exactly how free trade agreements work here. We considered his visit here ultimately to be helpful in gaining support in the US for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. American workers need to know what the benefits of FTAs can be. They also need to know what to be careful about. The experience of New Zealand workers and businesses could be very useful for them," said Maryan Street.

“John Key has failed to join the dots between workers' rights here in New Zealand and international trade opportunities. He needs to recognise that the New Zealand trade union movement does not operate in a vacuum. Helen Kelly is right to say that she will not parade a fraternal colleague, Mr Trumka, around New Zealand at the same time as the government is engaged in an attack on workers' rights here," she said.

"For John Key to imagine that there would not be any repercussions from his government's unwanted and unnecessary labour law changes is naive in the extreme. Now he is jeopardising US support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, something from which New Zealand stands to benefit.

“Free trade agreements must include labour clauses so to ensure workers' rights and job security and to protect our international reputation.

“New Zealand is renowned for its protection of workers' rights. Richard Trumka’s withdrawal has highlighted a change in the way many of our trading partners may now perceive us and the way we treat workers.

“This is an embarrassment and may prove to be a barrier which stands between New Zealand and potential trading partners,” said Maryan Street.

ENDS

© Scoop Media