President Obama withdrew the country’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) last Thursday. Michael Froman, the US trade representative, explained that the decision was taken in light of Swaziland’s continuing labour rights abuses. AGOA status enables countries in sub-Saharan Africa to get duty-free access to the US market on thousands of products, making it cheaper to enter the USD 3 trillion import market.
The ITF has long campaigned for improved workers’ rights in Swaziland, most recently campaigning for the release of imprisoned union lawyer Basil Thwala. During a March 2014 visit to the country, ITF assistant general secretary Stuart Howard led a high-level mission to the country, which met with government representatives and US embassy officials. Howard said: “In March, we personally warned the government that its denial of union rights was likely to lead to its losing AGOA. They refused to listen. Now they're paying the consequences.”
While Thwala was released just days before the US Department of Trade was scheduled to review the AGOA agreement, unions including the ITF-affiliated Swaziland Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (STAWU) continue to face government harassment.
US axes Swazi trade deal over rights abuses
news
ON THE GROUND
news
Press Release
South American air liberalisation will undermine safety, fair competition and labour standards, unions warn
The new ALAS ‘single sky’ in South America could erode hard-won safety standards and grossly undermine fair competition, warn aviation unions, as plans exclude key considerations for regulatory harmonisation.
news
Press Release
ITF signs first agreement in Africa protecting seafarers’ mental health
Pioneering pact agreed between the ITF and Nigeria’s maritime safety agency. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has signed a landmark deal in Lagos which supports the mental
news
Press Release
ITF stands firm with dockworkers’ solidarity action for peace and Palestinian rights
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) stands in unwavering solidarity with its affiliates mobilising for Palestinian rights – the right to safety, decent work, freedom and dignity – against war and militarisation, and for peace and justice.