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CAFTA


CAFTA investor rights undermining democracy and the environment: Pacific Rim mining case
Pacific Rim Mining Corp., a Canadian-based multinational firm, sought to establish a massive gold mine using water-intensive cyanide ore processing in the basin of El Salvador’s largest river, Rio Lempa.
Progress made on El Salvador deal
Washington and El Salvador moved closer to agreement on a $277 million U.S. aid package Tuesday after the Obama administration took steps to defuse a contentious trade dispute over a modest Salvadoran program to buy seeds for poor farmers.
US tying aid to agribusiness in El Salvador, groups warn
The US State Department stands accused of conditioning development aid to El Salvador to benefit and boost foreign agribusiness in the Central American nation.
Honduras: US-Korean maquila accused of CAFTA labor violations
Some 30 inspectors from the Honduran Labor Ministry visited the Kyungshin-Lear Honduras Electrical Distribution Systems auto parts assembly plant iafter local media reported that some employees had to wear diapers at work because of restrictions on their bathroom breaks.
US commends Nicaragua’s trade liberalization
The U.S. government is commending Nicaragua for its continued trade liberalization and integration into the global economy under the Sandinista government of President Daniel Ortega.
Canadian miner’s complaint can proceed under El Salvador law
Canadian company Pacific Rim can move forward under El Salvador law with a case against that country’s government for blocking a gold mining project, but cannot file suit under a regional trade agreement, a World Bank arbitration panel ruled.
DR-CAFTA: A dismal delivery of workers’ hopes
Late last month, the umbrella coalition of US unions, the AFL-CIO, linked up with major workers groups from Honduras to file a petition with the Department of Labor in Washington, DC. The petition censured the government of the Central American country over its failure to enforce provisions of the labour chapter of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with the United States.
AFL-CIO Joins Honduran Unions in Petitioning US Labor Department
This week the AFL-CIO joined the main Honduran trade unions to file a petition with the United States Department of Labor’s Public Office of Trade & Labor Affairs (OTLA) concerning the failure of the government of Honduras to effectively enforce its labor laws and comply with its commitments under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
Central America lures sportswear makers as Adidas shifts orders
Sportswear producers such as Adidas are turning to Central America to complement China as a source for apparel as the region’s proximity to the US allows for quick turnaround of orders during peak seasons.
Labor, environmental activists to protest World Bank’s CAFTA tribunal
Tomorrow, the AFL-CIO will join the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and activists from a range of labor and environmental groups to converge on the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., for a noon protest in opposition to a CAFTA case being brought against the Salvadoran government by Pacific Rim.
Pig farmers say imports cause bankruptcies, violate trade pact
Pig farmers denounced that thus far this year the Agriculture Ministry has approved the import of nearly 6,000 tons of pork meat beyond the amount approved for the entire 2011, violating the Free Trade Agreement’s (DR-CAFTA) tariff quota.
Documentary: CAFTA led to workers’ rights violations in Honduras
Ever since it was passed five years ago, the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) has led to an increase in unemployment, violations of worker rights and discrimination against women in Honduras, according to an about-to-be-released documentary.
Guatemala says it will win US labor challenge
Guatemala is confident it will defeat a US challenge to its record on labor rights, the country’s economy minister said on Wednesday, and he linked the challenge to White House efforts to win domestic support for several free trade deals.
Guatemala labor case: US steps up pressure
The United Steelworkers union (USW) said it strongly supported the US plan to move forward with arbitration.
US requests panel to decide Guatemala labor case
The United States said on Tuesday it was requesting a dispute settlement panel to hear its year-old complaint that Guatemala has failed to protect workers’ rights as required under CAFTA. Guatemala could potentially face millions of dollars in fines if the panel finds it has violated the agreement.
U.S. requests panel to decide Guatemala labor case
The United States said on Tuesday it was requesting a dispute settlement panel to hear its year-old complaint that Guatemala has failed to protect workers’ rights as required under a free-trade agreement.
First a gold rush, then the lawyers
Pacific Rim is suing the Salvadoran government in an international investment court, one of scores of cases in recent years in which frustrated oil, gas and mining investors, using provisions of trade agreements, have sought to recoup losses from mostly developing countries.
US steps up pressure on Guatemala to enforce labor laws
The Obama administration announced yesterday that because Guatemala has not taken sufficient steps to effectively enforce its labor laws, as required under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), it is requesting a meeting of the Free Trade Commission.
Kirk asks trade panel to investigate Guatemala labor rights
US Trade Representative Ron Kirk asked an international commission to investigate Guatemala’s alleged failure to enforce worker protections, the first labor case brought by the US against a trade-accord partner.
Unions seek labour justice under free trade deal
"My brother was murdered, and we’re still the victims of threats and harassment, which is why we filed the petition" under the free trade agreement signed with the United States by Central America and the Dominican Republic, (DR-CAFTA), said Guatemalan trade unionist Noé Ramírez.