
Issue No 62		14 July 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Letters to the Editor

Still a Role for Tariffs

Following up on your editorial piece in issue 61, where you suggest there is no need for tariffs against countries with lower wages and working conditions than Australia. I believe strongly that there is a need for some penalty for companies who manufacture in countries with low labour costs and working conditions but distribute the profits to richer countries. They are neglecting the workers of the richer countries and exploiting those in the poorer countries. International competitiveness generally has nothing to do with it.

I further believe that any tariffs collected in this manner should be directed to overseas aid so that we don't further expolit the workers and citizens of these poorer countries.

If we can work for competitive wages and working conditions for workers around the world then we really will be working for international competitiveness. But to stand back and do nothing (as you seem to suggest) will only result in lining the pockets of the multinationals.

Chris Connolly

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Issue 62 contents

Interview: Fair Trader
AMWU boss Doug Cameron is gearing for a showdown with the ALP over their free trade agenda. But what's he really on about?

Politics: Free Trader
Trade Minister Peter Cook states his case for coninuting trade liberalisation and why the 'fair trade' agenda is against the interests of Australian workers.

History: Organising - Fifties Style
What do the new wave of organisers do? Pretty much the same hard slog that Audrey Petrie did in the 1950s around Sydney for the Hotel, Club and Restaurant Union (HCRU).

Unions: The Whistleblower
A lone Chinese seafarer is fighting to stop a Panamanian flagged vessel from dumping toxic waste into Australian waters

International: Jakarta Breakthrough
Indonesian workers have just won a new historic bill of rights which gaurantees them legal protections when they form unions.

Solidarity: Rio Versus the Rest of the World
Union members around the world have taken part in a week of international action against the mining giant Rio Tinto. Andrew Casey looks at all the hot spots.

Satire: Amnesty Branch Targets Lazy Letter Writer
Police are investigating claims that the Glebe branch of Amnesty International has captured and tortured a member whose tardiness in letter writing had become renowned.

Review: Little by Little
Clinton Walker's groundbreaking book, CD and video charts the careers of indigenous artists like the legendary Jimmy Little.

» Hotel Workers Get Serious on Olympic Pay

» Global Rio Tinto Campaign Bites

» Nike Faces Olympics Shame

» Cameron Calls for 'Social Audit'

» Orange Rally Softens Email Job Losses

» No Joy in the Chase

» Reith Scheme Short Changes Workers

» World Banks' PNG Edict: Six Thousand Bucks per Job!

» New Wages Scam - Sink Company to Avoid Pay

» Shaw Returns to Bar Room Life

» Newman! Minister Dumps on Staff for GST

» Taxi Drivers Win GST Justice

» Unchain Your Mind

» ACTU Womens' Conference

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Political Hackers and the Law

» Still a Role for Tariffs

» Fair Trade - Australia Would be Hit Too!

» Mexican Greens - A Different Analysis

» Korean unrest - All the Latest Here

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