Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
TPP Reduces Human Trafficking and Child Labor to Misdemeanors
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 Obamas 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 Presidents 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 doesnt violate these standards, that perpetuating violence against a trade unionist doesnt violate these agreements. ... Excuse me. Excuse me if Im not willing to accept that standard....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-sorscher/tpp-reduces-human-traffic_b_7488536.html
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
10 replies, 969 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (26)
ReplyReply to this post
10 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
TPP Reduces Human Trafficking and Child Labor to Misdemeanors (Original Post)
think
May 2016
OP
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
(4,667 posts)9. Keeps em profitable, for now.
keeps the money coming in.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)2. That sounds nice. Thanks, Obama!
MisterP
(23,730 posts)3. "but the REPUBLICANS!"
davidthegnome
(2,983 posts)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
(36,099 posts)5. Yet another reason to vote for Bernie.
PaulaFarrell
(1,236 posts)6. k & r
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)8. One reason our candidate considers it the "gold standard" of deals
Baobab
(4,667 posts)10. She considers poor people being treated like dirt to be "economic reality"
nt