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22 June, 1999World metal union says that internationally agreed core labour standards must be incorporated in agreements on free trade.
HELSINKI: The International Metalworkers´ Federation opened its Central Committee meeting in Helsinki on June 23. In his main speech, IMF General Secretary Marcello Malentacchi reported that the trend towards regionalisation of the world economy has been a point of focus of IMF activities.
In response to the launching of negotiations on a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the IMF has organised seminars to prepare union involvement in the process. A working group has been set up to work out a policy document outlining the trade unions´ position and demands regarding the FTAA.
A main concern for all IMF affiliates in the region is that internationally agreed core labour standards must be incorporated in any future trade agreement. Malentacchi said that the IMF will be sending the policy paper to all governments in the region and will continue to follow the FTAA negotiations very closely.
In response to the launching of negotiations on a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the IMF has organised seminars to prepare union involvement in the process. A working group has been set up to work out a policy document outlining the trade unions´ position and demands regarding the FTAA.
A main concern for all IMF affiliates in the region is that internationally agreed core labour standards must be incorporated in any future trade agreement. Malentacchi said that the IMF will be sending the policy paper to all governments in the region and will continue to follow the FTAA negotiations very closely.