Blog: June 2008

The possibility of the TRADE Act: Could trade policy be turning a corner?

This bill is unprecedented and reflects a prevailing public dissatisfaction with the current NAFTA/CAFTA style trade model that has failed to meet the promise of improved working conditions for workers in Mexico and Central America who continue to flock to the United States by the thousands each year in search of decent jobs. This bill does not denounce trade generally, but calls for a more fair approach to negotiating deals that have shown to be unfair. After seeing the blockage of the Colombia FTA and now the introduction of the TRADE Act, those of us who advocate for a fair trade over a free trade model, are finally seeing a glimmer of hope.

World Day Against Child Labor: Call Firestone TODAY!

For 82 years, Firestone has operated a
rubber plantation in Liberia where there is widespread child
labor, abuse of workers' rights and environmental
destruction.  Workers have an extremely high
production quota they must meet every day or their low wages are
halved -- which means they have to bring their children to
work to meet their quota.  After a long struggle, the
workers on the plantation finally have  democratic and
independent union.  The union is negotiating their new
collective bargaining agreement with company management right
NOW.  The biggest demands for the workers is to switch
from a task-based pay system to a living daily wage.

Human Trafficking: the reality of the ubiquitous phenomenon

Ambassador Lagon gave a brief example of a Burmese woman who was
recruited to work in a shrimp factory in a neighboring country together
with 800 other Burmese citizens.  The factory was located in the middle
of a jungle where workers were prevented to leave or call their
families.  On top of the horrendous conditions, she wasn’t getting paid
for her labor.  Workers that tried to escape were hunted down, beaten
and humiliated in front of other workers.  This is just one horrifying
story out of the many forced labor camps around the world.  Many
illnesses of the workers are more often than not left untreated.

My first Wal-Mart Shareholder Meeting Experience in Fayetteville, AR

I was escorted to my seat by my "chaperon" Pepe in section 118 of
the Bud Walton Arena on the campus of University of Arkansas at
Fayetteville.  There were 6 of us there to present resolutions ranging
from human rights to fair compensation.  I quickly learned that
whatever I did, Pepe would be right by my side.  All 6 of us had a
special friend for the 4 hours of the meeting. 

Transform the Big Box Industry - Issues United!

The document also identifies strategies that governments and
citizens can employ to eliminate incentives for irresponsible corporate
behavior and promote humane business standards. Government strategies
include proper allocation of funding with regards to zoning, research,
economic preservation, and labor rights. Citizen strategies include
organizing to lobby local, state, and federal government to adhere by
fair practices as well as promote education about the rights of
citizens in controlling corporate behavior. The consensus will be
delivered to officials of all major big box retail corporations and
will function as framework to define and guide the broad-based civil
society movement looking to transform the industry.

Pages

Search form