Joint letter from European trade union federations to European Parliament ENVI committee ahead of Opinion vote on CETA

Publicado: 22 Diciembre 2016
Google translate: 

The European trade union federations have today sent a joint letter to members of the European Parliament’s (EP) Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) asking them to vote on 12 January in favour of the draft ENVI Opinion on CETA. They outlined their joint concerns about CETA, summarised as follows:

  • The inclusion of public services in CETA, whereas an explicit carve out from the scope of the agreement is required
  • The ‘negative list’ approach for services commitments, and the inclusion of ‘standstill’ and ‘ratchet’ mechanisms, that lock in liberalisation
  • Restrictions on universal service obligations in public utilities
  • The Investor Court System (ICS) provisions that expand far-reaching investment protection rights
  • Weak provisions for human rights, including workers’ rights

While the Interpretative Instrument and other Declarations agreed in September are important initiatives to address a number of CETA’s shortcomings, only a reopening of CETA’s provisions can solve the underlying problems. European trade union federations hope that the ENVI Committee on 12 January will vote in favour of the draft Opinion on CETA.

Read the full letter here