Irish Congress of Trade Unions concerned about impact of TTIP on Worker’s Rights – Carthy

Commenting on a letter circulated to Irish MEPs on behalf of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in advance of this Thursday’svote on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Sinn Féín MEP for the Midlands North West Matt Carthy has called on Ireland’s representative on the Committee, Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly to use his influence to ensure that the vote does not succeed.

Carthy said:

“At the outset, I would like to commend the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on their recent intervention on this matter.

“Having met with several of the unions over the past number of weeks and months on this issue, I fully share their concerns and support them in their efforts.

“The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could challenge the ability of workers to form collective agreements and places the rights of investors and corporations ahead of workers, citizens and even national Governments through the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism.

“This mechanism allows private corporations sue member states for potential loss of revenue or profits outside of the normal courts system in private investor led tribunals. In the 45 cases taken under this type of mechanism to date, almost $5 billion of public funds have been paid out to Investors.

“Furthermore, even the European Commission has acknowledged that TTIP could bring about the “prolonged and substantial dislocation of workers” across the EU, with commentators suggesting that up to 1 million workers could be affected.

“This Thursday the European Committee on International Trade will be asked to vote on the ISDS mechanism when it comes before them.

“I am calling on Ireland’s only MEP on that Committee, Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly to use his influence to help ensure that this vote does not pass and send a clear message to the European Commission that Ireland will not accept any agreement which contains ISDS.”