Fed: Trade deal threatens jobs and labour standards, ACTU

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2004
Fed: Trade deal threatens jobs and labour standards, ACTU

The president of the ACTU has told a federal government committee that Australia's
free trade agreement with the United States is a threat to local jobs and labour standards.

SHARAN BURROW has told the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties that the HOWARD government
has not provided convincing evidence to support the deal.

Ms BURROW says the government needs to go back to the drawing board as the economic
benefits are dubious and threat to jobs and labour standards are real -- particularly
in the textile clothing, footwear and vehicle components manufacturing.

The deal to lower trade barriers between Australia and the US was signed by both countries
in February.

But it still has to be approved by the US Congress, and Australia will have to enact
legislation to support it.

AAP RTV bp/gfr/swe/rp

KEYWORD: TRADE US UNIONS (MELBOURNE)

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