US Trade Associations Putting Profits before Human Rights in Honduras

[Judi Lynn]

US Trade Associations Putting Profits before Human Rights in Honduras
For immediate release: July 14, 2009

The Global Union representing workers in the apparel and footwear sectors has dubbed as ‘disgusting’ a letter from leading US trade associations to President Obama calling for business as usual with Honduras following last week’s coup which was supported by key elements of the country’s business community.

Seven trade groups, including the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the Emergency Committee for American Trade, the National Council of Textile Organizations, the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel and the US Chamber of Commerce, wrote to President Obama on July 11 urging him to secure the US’s economic relationship with Honduras.

Says Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the Brussels-based International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation: “This approach, which overlooks democracy, civil liberties and the rule of law, is an affront to democracy and a negation of American values.

“Since the coup there has been growing concern at the threat to trade union and popular leaders, and it appears there is a list of leaders who are threatened with detention and whose personal safety is at risk. There have been reports that on Saturday evening, two leaders of the popular opposition to the coup, Roger Ivan Bados and Ramon Garcia, were murdered in two separate incidents by unidentified gunmen.

“There is also growing concern about worsening working conditions, and in particular at efforts to claw back a wage increase ordered by President Zelaya six months ago in order to reflect the increased cost of food and other essentials. In reality the increased wage barely covered 90% of basic food needs and less than a third of a living wage covering basic needs such as food, rent, transport, education, and medical care”.

Concludes Mr. Kearney: “These trade associations are protecting their profits on the backs of murdered leaders and worsening wages and working conditions. The ITGLWF is calling on organisations linked with the AAFA and the six trade associations to publicly disassociate themselves from the statement.

http://www.itglwf.org/DisplayDocument.aspx?idarticle=15801&langue=2

[Downwinder]

1. Rec but no comment, don't want this pushed down further.

[Downwinder]

2. Erase my Rec so here we go.

Since I cannot get memberships lists, I am assuming that the worlds largest retailer is a member of all of the mentioned organizations and will treat them accordingly. It also happens that they do business in Latin America and their customer base will not be to happy with them supporting the Honduran coup.

[Billy Burnett]

3. In America commerce trumps all else. Commerce trumps country.