CTU MEDIA RELEASE
05 March 2007

Parliamentary South Pacific Inquiry Welcomed By Unions

“Any discussion on building sustainable pacific economies must have a focus on the rights and development of workers in the Pacific,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

Parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee is to conduct an inquiry into New Zealand's relationships with South Pacific countries.

“The CTU welcomes the enquiry and intends to be very involved both through our own representative structure Komiti Pasefika, and calling on our networks within our membership of the South Pacific and Oceanic Council of Trade Unions (SPOCTU).

“We will be interested in the issues around promotion of human rights generally, and workers rights in particular, and the central role of workers in an economic development agenda.”

“We will also stress to the select committee the need in our trade policies to ensure a fair outcome for Pacific countries,” Carol Beaumont said.

ENDS

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