Congress says Irish Government must make Trade Justice a Priority at WTO
12 Dec 2005
Congress today (Dec 12) said that the Irish government must make international trade justice a priority at the WTO Ministerial Conference, in Hong Kong.
Speaking from Hong Kong, Neil Alldred of Congress Global Solidarity said: "The Irish government must make international trade justice their priority at these talks - that means working to scrap unjust developed country subsidies, allowing poorer countries access to our markets and halting the often forced privatisation of public services."
Neil Alldred, is the Congress representative on the Irish delegation.
In addition, Congress has backed a call from the international trade union movement for individual country's to enjoy the capacity to derogate from WTO policies, if they are found to cause serious job losses and social disruption.
The proposal originated with Argentina, South Africa and Brazil and has been backed by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. The proposal is in response to serious social upheaval that often results from WTO policies with regard to trade and 'liberalisation'.
"This makes eminent sense," said Mr Alldred, "and Congress will be supporting it wholeheartedly. In the past, a rigid ideological adherence to 'the market' has led to chaos and deepening poverty in some countries. This proposal means individual countries would have the ability to respond to the impact of these policies - it places the requirements of society over the needs of the economy."
In addition, it would also be important that the Irish Government works to help promote the programme of the International Labour Organisation's on the defence of sustainable and fulfilling work for all, he said.
Congress will be arguing the case for decent work, basic workers' rights (including social protection), universal public services and fairness for poor countries trying to work their way out of poverty.
Congress believes that people across Ireland share its belief that the WTO meeting should not be a talk shop for businessmen but a place of real dialogue between employers, elected representatives in Government, and representatives of working people.
"The world is tired of closed-door discussions that result in our public services being sold off and workers' terms and conditions being sold down the river," Mr Alldred concluded.
The Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference takes place in Hong Kong, from December 13-18.