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Trade is Not the Same as Aid: Why Robert Zoellick is a Dangerous Choice for Workers and the Poor Around the World

May 30, 2007

One
of the biggest challenges facing poor countries in terms of trade policy is the
fact that all trade negotiations virtually take place in secret. While corporations
enjoy a seat at the table, unions and non-governmental organizations—which
represent average people—are denied access to information and a voice in the
negotiations. If we truly want to fight poverty, unions and representatives of
developing countries need to have a seat at the negotiating table. Their insights

Liberians say "Firestone not beneficial"

May 23, 2007

                   

Firestone, Salala Not Beneficial to Us

Citizens
of Margibi County have indicted that Firestone rubber plantation and
the Salala rubber company  that operate in the county are insensitive
to the developmental needs of the county and its people ever since the
rubber estates begun operating in there.

They
said the two companies are particularly not beneficial to them. They
gave their impression of the rubber estates Unification Town at a
meeting aimed at brainstorming to find a sustainable development drives
for the county and its people under the Johnson-Sirleaf’s government.

Paramilitary Ties to Elite In Colombia Are Detailed

May 22, 2007

The news is the latest in a series of reports that have been coming out of Colombia showing the links between the government, paramilitary groups and corporations.  In March, Chiquita admitted to paying millions of dollars to the AUC paramilitary group, which is considered a terrorist group by the US State Department.  The ILRF lawsuit against Drummond, an Alabama-based coal company, which alleges that the company paid paramilitaries to torture, kidnap and murder union leaders has also been getting media coverage.

Chinese Migrant Women Deserve More than a Scholarship from Wal-Mart

May 17, 2007

This is just another case of Wal-Mart trying to buy out communities by
offering scholarships to migrant women so that they are able to receive a
better education. If Wal-Mart was really
serious about supporting the education of its migrant women factory workers,
why don’t they encourage their suppliers to train women for management level
positions. Of course Wal-Mart would
never do anything so systemic but rather make insulting attempts to make others
think they care about their workers. At
the end of the day, Wal-Mart has just continued to allow blatant worker rights
violations flourish in their Chinese factories and even worse when a problem is
found, then Wal-Mart runs away from the factory. 

Just Say No to Fast Track

May 7, 2007

FAST TRACK transfers the authority to make trade policy from Congress to the President, eroding democratic participation and essential checks on Executive privilege.

As a result, the Bush Administration has pursued a corporate led free trade agenda which privileges corporate interests over those of the common good.

When President Bush asks for a renewal of Fast Track, we need to make sure that Congress "JUST SAYS NO!"

You can participate in a Signature Ad to urge members of Congress to "Just Say No!" to renewing Fast Track. Your name will appear in a full-page signature ad in the New York Times shortly after the Bush administration presents its new Fast Track request to Congress, most likely in June.

MAY DAY—Historical Day for Labor Rights and an Opportunity to Lift Up Workers Today

May 1, 2007

Over the next five years, the numbers of undocumented immigrants will only grow as the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is implemented. CAFTA is a free trade agreement between the United States and the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Costa Rica is
also included in the plan but as of yet has not ratified the agreement due to Costa Rican citizens 'widespread and vocalized disapproval of CAFTA. The US contends that free trade between the US and Central America will benefit participant countries by creating jobs and strengthening democracy. But if the results are anything like NAFTA, the agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico, big businesses will be the only ones winning.

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