Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

Trade unions to hold anti-WTO rally on Nov 9

Major Indian trade unions on Wednesday cautioned the government against "surrendering the nation's interests" at the WTO (World Trade Organisation) meet beginning November 9 as they announced protests and rallies across the country on that day to highlight workers' opposition to the new round of talks.

Leaders of All India Trade Union Congress, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Hind Mazdoor Sangh, Indian National Trade Union Congress and All India Central Council of Trade Unions told reporters in New Delhi that November 9 will be observed as a day of 'Global Trade Union Action Against Globalisation' across the country.

Demonstrations, rallies and processions will be organised on the day in response to the call given by all the international trade union organisations - International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, World Federation of Trade Unions and World Confederation of Labour - to raise joint voice against globalisation.

Cautioning the government against "surrendering the nation's interest" at the WTO meet by agreeing to new round of negotiations, CITU secretary Tapan Sen told reporters in New Delhi that New Delhi should insist on review of the implementation and impact of the earlier round's 'Multilateral Agreement on Investment' and 'Linking Labour Standard with Trade'.

BMS general secretary H Dave took strong objection to the suggestions by the US and the European Union that India might be isolated at the WTO conference if it did not agree to new round of talks and said, "we will show that we are not isolated."

ALSO READ:
India and the WTO: News and issues