Picture: Free Market My Ass (CC BY-SA 2.0)
will not be handled within the national jurisdiction but in an international trade dispute jurisdiction of the corporation’s choosing. In trade dispute settlements, judgments are made only on the basis of ‘free trade’ without regard to, for example, social or environmental factors, thus favouring corporations. States have no corresponding rights to sue corporations. The judges will be drawn from a panel of experts regarding the matter under dispute. This will stack the deck in favour of the corporations – for where will these “experts” come from? EXAMPLE The Australian government, decided that cigarettes should
be sold in plain packets, marked only with graphic health warnings. This decision was upheld by the Australian Supreme Court. But, using a trade agreement Australia struck with Hong Kong, the tobacco company Philip Morris has asked an offshore tribunal to award it a vast sum in compensation for the loss of what it calls its intellectual property. EXAMPLE In El Salvador, local communities managed at great cost (three campaigners were murdered) to persuade the government to refuse permission for a vast gold mine which threatened to contaminate their water supplies. A victory for democracy? Not for long perhaps.
The Canadian company which sought to dig the mine is now suing El Salvador for $315m – for the loss of its anticipated future profits. Yes, indeed, what is coming down the track will further erode the already limited democracy that we have. The Irish trade union movement needs to urgently campaign against this treaty. We need the workers’ movement across europe and the rest of the world to campaign against it. It will mean that there will be no democratic way to undo it or change it. This is a permanent straitjacket woven by big business and they will control the straps and how tight it is applied.
The Drogheda Resource Centre Ltd in collaboration with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions intend to deliver the following programme in March:
DACT Programme
By Ed Teller unions and reduces the demand for wage increases, as workers are THeRe IS very little point in talking forced into negative competition with about what capitalism should be, or the unemployed. As businesses have what we wish it to be, and kidding become larger and global, this comourselves into believing it can provide something that it can’t. petition is now global, and workers are pitted against Personal/Interperworkers on the far more value the trade – Computer This programme offers 3 Of FETAC Level 3tomodules Literacy, other side of the globe, reducing union movement is an analysis of sonal Skills and Work Experience over a 6-weeks period. The participants will then complete labour costs to secure profits. what capitalism actually is, of really two weeks work experience and will have an additional 4 weeks mentoring to assist existing capitalism. employers also invest in new them ma- in seeking employment ornever seekprovided further education opportunities. chinery and technology to reduce Capitalism has their cost of production; and far from (with the exception of Nazi Germaking workers’ lives easier, these many), andshould will never full of any To qualify, participants beprovide, in receipt one of the following | new innovations replace workers, as employment, or anything close to it. disability/illness welfare employers again seek to reduce their Unemployment is a necessity under payments: labour and Benefit mechanise their and here’s why. l Disabilitycapitalism; l Invalidity l costs Allowance Pension Illness production process. Wages and profits are inversely rel l profits tend Blind Pension Benefit This is the traditional explanation lated: when wages go up, Disablement l Incapacity Supplement for unemployment in commodityto be reduced. employers therefore want to reduce as as possible lmuch Injury Benefit production capitalism. But things have developed; and, as capitalists the cost of wages. High unemployseek to make profits from credit and ment disciplines workers and their
We are currently taking names for the course and if you know of anyone who would be interested in attending the course, please contact Mairead or Louise in the Drogheda Resource Centre on 0419835754 or by email at drogheda.resource.ctr@gmail.com
February 2014
y SHOPFLOOR
Picture: Charlie Sporn CC BY-SA 2.0
Health & Safety FETAC Level 5
This course is aimed at Health and Safety representatives Topic covered on course: • Health and Safety Legislation • Role of Health and Safety Representative • Safety statements • Role of Health & Safety Authority • Occupational health
Saf e firs ty t wor at k!
• Identification of hazards and risk assessment • Accident investigation • Fire safety • Effective communications • Health and safety promotion
Certification and Progression: Members who successfully complete this course receive a Fetac Level 5 component award certificate and may progress to other courses offered by Mandate. If you are interested in this course, please contact your Mandate official or Mandate's Training Centre at 01-8369699. Email: mandateotc@mandate.ie 27