Union calls for Labor to block free trade agreement with China

Source: AP

Daniel Hurst

The manufacturing union is demanding the Labor party block the Abbott government’s free trade agreement with China, with its leader arguing the “deeply shameful” deal makes it too easy to bring foreign workers to Australia.

In a sign of the pressure that will be brought to bear on the opposition as it considers its stance on the just-released FTA, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union warned Labor against making a pragmatic decision to offer its overall support.

The union movement’s concerns relate chiefly to provisions on the movement of Chinese workers to Australia. The deal commits Australia to allow Chinese workers who install and service machinery and equipment to enter the country and stay for up to three months.

The relevant chapter appears to suggest that labour market testing – forcing employers to prove Australians are not available to perform the work – is not needed as a condition for temporary entry.

FULL story at link.



A woman holds a copy of the free trade agreement during a signing ceremony on Wednesday in Canberra. Photograph: Lukas Coch/pool/Getty Images

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/17/union-calls-for-labor-to-block-free-trade-agreement-with-china

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Free trade isn't a popular idea in Europe either. German unions join protest against trans-Atlantic trade pact: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141114442