Allowing developing countries to have competitive advantages

One of the main requests of the statement is that all partners involved in trade agreements with the EU have to sign the Declaration of the International Labour Organisation on Fundamental Principles and Rights for Workers. Apart from that, the European Union is asked to exert its influence to enforce the compliance with labour, social and human rights standards. An important request is to allow developing countries to have competitive advantages. This also includes a redefinition of subventions. These were largely prohibited by a WTO agreement, which resulted in the fact that socio-political activities were contained. It is still somewhat unclear how these demands should be implemented. The Commission insists that this should only take place through voluntary positive incentives. To which extent this will achieve the objective, remains, however, questionable.

Repressions against trade unions in Columbia

In the previous meeting of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the presentation of the statement led to a controversial debate about the situation of trade unionists in Columbia. Howitt welcomed that a sustainability impact assessment had been carried out; he regretted, however, that the results were not consequently dealt with. Richard Falbr, also Social Democrat, replied he got the impression during a visit in Columbia that repressions against trade unionists were successfully contained. This is in contrast to data of the International Labour Organisation, according to which thousands of trade unionists have been murdered – whereby most cases remain unsolved. Furthermore, there are legal provisions, which infringe against the freedom of association for trade unions, the right of collective bargaining and the right to strike. Therefore, AK Europa is in favour of suspending negotiations with Columbia concerning an Association Agreement and demands a comprehensive review of the human rights statement.

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