WTO Needs to Address Trade Imbalance

Thursday, 14 November 2002, 3:06 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

WTO Mini-Ministerial Needs to Address Trade Imbalance

“The WTO Mini-Ministerial in Sydney today must address the significant problems that are undermining the establishment of fair trade rules”, said the secretary of the Council of Trade Unions Paul Goulter today.

“Developing countries want to see progress on generic medicines to combat AIDS and other diseases,” he said.

“They want to see their special and differential concerns given real attention.”

Paul Goulter said that developed countries had not delivered on their existing commitments let alone the promises made at Doha.

“Although workers in New Zealand recognise that gains can be made if a fair rules-based trading system can be agreed, huge concessions have already been made on tariff reductions, and workers are yet to see the promised gains,” he said.

Paul Goulter said unions continue to raise very real concerns about the failure to include recognition of core labour standards in trade rules, such as restricting the use of child labour.

“Another important issue for workers is the effect on public education and strategic public services, such as water utilities, of the negotiations on services,” he said.

© Scoop Media

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

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