Tim Colebatch: ACTU push for labour rights in China

From The Age:

Sharan Burrow wants a strong clause spelling out the rights of workers in Australia and China.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow will today propose a “strong labour-rights clause” and a focus on promoting opportunities for Australian manufacturers as the price for union support for the free trade agreement the Federal Government plans to negotiate with China. In a speech in Melbourne opening a symposium on China, trade liberalisation and labour rights, Ms Burrow will stake out a wary position on the negotiations, which are expected to be given the green light when Prime Minister John Howard visits China in April.

Rather than opposing an agreement, the ACTU chief will urge “critical and constructive engagement” with China and will argue that Australia should make labour rights, growth of manufactured exports to China and adequate protection against dumping central issues in the negotiations.

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