Brussels, 26/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - More than 100 NGOs and unions have opposed the special rights given to large companies by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in place between the EU and Canada.
European and Canadian NGOs and unions are concerned that the mechanism for settling disputes between investors and states provided for in the framework of the CETA will discourage the states from adopting rules on social and environmental matters. They therefore oppose the inclusion of this mechanism and the creation of parallel judicial system “which will allow multinational companies to sue and threaten governments with heavy costs for doing their democratic job of regulating their societies and economies”, the European Trade Union Confederation stated in a press release dated 25 November. (EH/transl.fl)