TPP Reduces Human Trafficking and Child Labor to Misdemeanors

[think]

TPP Reduces Human Trafficking and Child Labor to Misdemeanors

By Stan Sorscher, Labor Representative, Society for Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospac - 06/01/2015 07:40 pm ET | Updated Jun 01, 2015

Last week, President Obama’s credibility on trade policy took another punch in the neck.

For months, arguments in favor of the huge new trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership have fallen flat with the public. His “hit parade of failed arguments” gives the deal an air of desperation. The overwhelming public impression is that TPP is written by and for corporate interests, and has little for workers, communities, or the environment.

The President’s best remaining pitch was his promise of strong enforceable standards for labor and the environment. Last week, that collapsed in a breath-taking display of cynicism.

~Snip~

The most recent US Department of Labor report shows that Malaysia uses forced labor in its electronics and garment industry, and child labor to produce palm oil. Mass graves were recently discovered with 139 bodies of men women and children showing signs of torture. Many of the victims in Malaysia are Rohingya Muslims who are exploited by human traffickers, held for ransom, and traded among other smugglers.

~Snip~

To diplomats and trade negotiators, the standards are met when countries pass appropriate laws, even if labor violence continues. In Colombia, 105 labor activists were murdered, and over 1300 death threats were reported since a special Labor Action Plan went into effect there 3 years ago. Richard Trumka from the AFL-CIO testified to Congress,

“...we were told by the [United States Trade Representative] general counsel that murdering a trade unionist doesn’t violate these standards, that perpetuating violence against a trade unionist doesn’t violate these agreements. ... Excuse me. Excuse me if I’m not willing to accept that standard.”

...


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-sorscher/tpp-reduces-human-traffic_b_7488536.html

[elljay]

1. K&R

This disastrous agreement will forever tarnish Obama's legacy if passed. Hillary has only expressed opposition to certain TPP wording, not to the concept itself. When Hillary makes her inevitable pivot to her comfort spot on the center-right, we need to keep applying the pressure so she doesn't promote a very slightly amended TPP that values corporate profits over human lives and American jobs.

[Baobab]

9. Keeps em profitable, for now.

keeps the money coming in.

[Enthusiast]

2. That sounds nice. Thanks, Obama!

[MisterP]

3. "but the REPUBLICANS!"

[davidthegnome]

4. They must think we're really stupid.

I can't imagine anyone supporting this. I can only imagine one reason why the President might do so...

[ancianita]

5. Yet another reason to vote for Bernie.

[PaulaFarrell]

6. k & r

[polly7]

7. FFS.

[Doctor_J]

8. One reason our candidate considers it the "gold standard" of deals

[Baobab]

10. She considers poor people being treated like dirt to be "economic reality"

nt