Brussels, 20/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - In a stance on the WTO ministerial meeting to be held in Doha (9-11 November), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) insists that "respect of the essential labour standards be integrated in work by all international organisations, including the WTO". According to ETUC, "all future trade negotiations and particularly those in Doha" must ensure that: 1) sustainable growth and the creation of jobs are encouraged throughout the world; 2) the "injustices" of the current international trade system must be countered, mainly with regard to access to medicines (agreements on intellectual property, TRIPS); 3) environmental protection cannot be compromised by trade agreements or commercial considerations that take more importance than multilateral environmental agreements; 4) the States do not undergo pressure making them privatise or deregulate public services and services of general interest against their will; 5) the negotiation process itself is open and democratic and allow developing countries to fully participate and trade unions and civil society representatives to put their views across; and that 6) international rules are developed so that multinational companies "fully take on their responsibilities towards their personnel and towards society in general"sd.
ETUC recalls that the mandate given by the Council to the Commission for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations comprises the creation of a joint ILO/WTO Forum on trade issues, globalisation and labour, and calls on the European Commission to do everything it can in coming weeks and in Doha to flesh out such a commitment.