(7 May 2015) EPSU participated in a conference organized on 4 May by Belgium civil society organizations to join forces and discuss the major threats our democracy and European standards face by TTIP, CETA and other possible trade agreements.
Trade unions, consumer protection, small employers’, farmers, social and environmental organizations all voiced concerns on key areas of the agreements that are problematic. All participants argue that these must urgently be improved or even be removed from the texts.
A first common denominator of concern is the inclusion of ISDS clauses in trade agreements. This would allow investors to sue states for taking regulatory actions and thereby undermine the sovereignty of our democracies. EPSU and its allies highlight the fact that ISDS must not be included in agreements such as CETA and TTIP.
The same demand was made regards regulatory cooperation. The European Commission and the US argue for such a mechanism in TTIP to facilitate international trade and investment. But the actual consequences of regulatory cooperation will lead to a race to the bottom of European standards and the possibility to undermine democratic processes.
EPSU and representatives of the Belgian social protection providers raised concerns regarding to access to universal and high quality public services such as healthcare systems, education, public transport, and water supply etc.
Claims made that TTIP and other trade agreements will contribute to growth, jobs and higher labour standards were contested. And ultimately, the lack of transparency throughout the whole processes was discussed and criticized. Not only does the Commission not allow sufficient access to all relevant negotiation documents, the EU is pushing through a Directive to strengthen the rights of companies to withhold important information from the public (trade secrets Directive), thereby circumventing regulatory control and supervision.
The organisations adopted a joint declaration, available in French and Dutch and you will find a full report on the conference under the following link (forthcoming).
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