UNCTAD 14: Economic Partnership Agreements: Development challenges and workers’ concerns

ITUC-Africa organised a side-event at UNCTAD 14 entitled “Economic Partnership Agreements: Development challenges and workers’ concerns” which took place on July 19th the civil society plenary tent.

Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and African regions, as well as the Caribbean and the Pacific, are being negotiated, finalised, signed and some have entered into force. The ITUC-Africa recent statement on EPAs concluded that the EPAs will lead to loss of policy space. The statement also outlines that in view of the outcomes of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference of 2015 in Nairobi where developed countries refused to reaffirm the Doha Development Agenda, promoting regional integration in Africa is the only way forward for Africa.

Panellists:

  • Kouglo Lawson Body, ITUC-Africa (moderator)
  • Baba Aye, Medical And Health Workers Union of Nigeria
  • David Dorkenoo, PSI Africa
  • Jane Nalunga, SEATINI
  • Gyekye Tanoh, Third World Network

This discussion was all the more relevant as just prior to UNCTAD 14, Tanzania announced that it would not sign the EPA under negociation between the EU and the East African Community. Panellists were unanimously supportive of this move as it would have resulted in worsened trade conditions for Least Developed Countries. It is noteworthy that three representatives from private sector associations of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania who commented from the floor echoed this support as they judged the EPA against their interest.

All the details of the Trade Union participation in UNCTAD 14 are available here