International Trade Union Confederation
TPP Agreement bad for democracy, rights, public services and health
Brussels, 4 February 2016 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) a major
setback for employment and workers’ rights prospects, and signaled the determination of unions in TPP countries to
oppose it. After five years of secret negotiations, twelve Asia/Pacific-Rim Ministers signed the agreement today in
Auckland, New Zealand, amid strong criticism from trade unions and other civil society organisations.
The text of the agreement that was published late last year shows that the negotiators ignored repeated warnings and
calls from trade unions, civil society, academia, jurists, legislators and others. They warned that the deal undermines
sustainability and social justice, decreases the power of labour and communities, and increases the power of
corporations.
“I am calling on the ratifying authorities in each of the twelve TPP Parties to reject this agreement because it
threatens democracy, social and labour rights, and access to public services and medicines. The TPP promotes corporate
greed and imposes unjustified and unacceptable costs for workers and communities,” said Sharan Burrow, ITUC General
Secretary.
To read the ITUC statement opposing the TPP:
New Zealand’s FIRST Union and a civil society group have launched an on-line petition on the TPP calling for the
rejection of the TPP:
http://www.actionstation.org.nz/dontsign?utm_campaign=tppfulllist2_medium=email_source=actionstation
The ITUC represents 180 million workers in 162 countries and territories and has 333 national affiliates.
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ENDS