Addressing the historic International Labour Conference on the Free Trade Area of the Americas in The Bahamas, trade unionist Obie Ferguson said that trade agreements must include enforceable protection for workers rights and the environment.
"It should allow scope for legitimate national development policies with employees and employers actively involved in trade negotiations," said Mr. Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress.
Serving as Conference Chairman for the week-long conclave, Mr. Ferguson told the body of local and international presenters and participants that a balance needs to be established between corporate rights and human rights.
And, he affirmed that an imbalance between commercial interests and values such as human rights, promotion and environmental protection would lead to an erosion of basic rights and living standards throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The conference which is hosted by the TUC, exists under the joint sponsorship of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB, is being held at the Nassau Marriott Resort & Crystal Palace Casino.
Commenting on the conference theme, "Knowing and Preparing For The Challenge," Mr. Ferguson said it was most appropriate at a time when there seemed to be a lack of understanding on this initiatives such as the FTAA.
"It is my hope that at the end of this international conference, the presenters would so find that trade does not constitute simply a commercial transaction," Mr. Ferguson said, "rather, that trade is also a political exchange that affects workers rights, the environment and communities well being."
The TUC President said that the new phenomenon presented by the FTAA process, allows the country to look carefully at the way the WTO and NAFTA dispute panels have constantly ruled that actions based on environmental, humanitarian or human rights concerns are invalid and in fact are illegal if they in some way obstruct the free movement of commerce.
Mr. Ferguson also firmly stressed that the TUC was very concerned that the principle nations of the FTAA which include the United States, Canada and Mexico were not going to vary the existing agreement. That is he said, if they vary to accommodate the remainder of the Western Hemisphere.
"What really concerns us is the fact that the United States, Canada and Mexico have agreed that qualified persons, with the minimum of a first degree in sixty three (63) categories," he said, "have the right to cross-border movement to carry out professional activities."
What was startling about this provision, Mr. Ferguson said, was that all of the categories listed were service-oriented professions.
Another alarming aspect of it, he continued, was the complete lack of measures to protect the environment and labour rights.
Mr. Ferguson revealed that upon surfing the FTAA website, www.alca.ftaa.org, it was discovered that of the nine negotiating themes, the segment dealing with dispute settlement was completely blank.
"We don't know what this means," he said. "We don't know if this means that the region lacks the legal framework to protect us in disputes or that we are so well protected that there is no need for concern."
He said that according to NAFTA Chapter 11, foreign corporations are permitted to prosecute Government for laws which threaten their profits. This includes laws protecting workers, the environment, public health and consumer safety, all with no chance of appeal. Mr. Ferguson said if such a provision was issued, then it can nullify existing labour laws, public health laws etc.
Economic Liberalisation, Ferguson said unfortunately results in workers inequality.
"The Trade Union Congress is opposed to any form of Trade Liberalisation that ignores or disrespects the need for social development, workers rights and the environment," he said.
With this in mind, Mr. Ferguson put forth a series of questions to presenters and delegates in attendance to take note of.
*Would Government really become a mere regulatory agency?
*Would TNC be able to sue the Government for laws that threaten their profits?
*What would become of our international self determination process?
*Would this new trade treaty increase poverty, misery and the loss of sovereignty throughout the region.
*Would this new trade treaty transfer power from the people and give it to corporations?
*Would this new treaty cut down wages and laws that protect workers on the job?
*Would this new trade treaty allow corporations to 'import workers' for specific jobs and deport them if they express an interest in organising?
The conference is being considered as a work in progress and it is against this backdrop that organisers consider The College of The Bahamas willingness to participate in the process and commitment to produce the final, post conference document an invaluable contribution.
Over the ensuing days, numerous concerns would be addressed, a new understanding is expected to emerge, a regional strategy would be formulated recognising the individual peculiarities of each member state.
By Lisa Albury, The Nassau Guardian
