Central American Free Trade Agreement A Bad Deal for Future of Free Trade
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2005
CENTRAL AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT A BAD DEAL
FOR FUTURE OF FREE TRADE
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (CA-33rd) announced that she will vote against the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) when it is considered by the House of Representatives. She expressed her strong opposition to the legislation's poorly crafted labor provisions.
"I am a strong supporter of trade agreements that will truly expand market access and raise living standards. For the past three years, I have supported every single bilateral free trade agreement -- Singapore, Chile, Australia, and Morocco -- based on the belief that free trade will support economic development and provide real gains for workers both domestically and abroad," said Congresswoman Watson. "Unfortunately, CAFTA is a disastrous example of a poorly negotiated FTA with meaningless labor and environmental protections. I had no choice but to vote against CAFTA. The agreement fails to place bans on child labor, slave labor, and discrimination in employment. It also fails to recognize internationally recognized labor rights of association and collective bargaining."
"As an ardent supporter of strong intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in the global economy, I wish I could have voted for DR-CAFTA to demonstrate my support for its outstanding intellectual property provisions. It contains some of the most state-of-the-art language on effective global IPR protection in the digital age," added Watson. "Ironically, had the enforcement mechanisms provided for IPR been extended to CAFTA's labor and environmental provisions, it would have been an agreement worthy of support.
"DR-CAFTA as negotiated is the wrong vehicle for strong IPR law and enforcement. It is the wrong vehicle to advance economic development and democracy in Central America. And it is the wrong vehicle to help raise living standards in developing countries while promoting prosperity at home," stated Watson.
Congresswoman Watson represents the 33rd Congressional District of California, which includes many entertainment companies, including Sony Studios, Capitol Records, American Film Institute, Raleigh Film and Television Studios, and parts of Paramount Studios.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ca33_watson/050727.html