Jumping Through Hoops to Satisfy Unfair Trade Rules (15 April 2005)

News Item: Event tomorrow (Sat. 16 April)

Saturday is a day of action (and acrobatics!) in Dublin and Cork by NGOs and the ICTU Solidarity Committee; Comhlámh to ask the public to vote for trade justice.

From 1-2pm tomorrow, Saturday, an acrobat will jump through hoops on O'Connell St, Dublin, to show how unjust trade rules prevent developing countries from getting their goods into the European Union.

Other events will be happening around the centre of Dublin and Cork to mark this Global Week of Action for Trade Justice, which culminates tomorrow.

These events will be organised by Trade Justice Ireland, a coalition of development NGOs and trade unions campaigning for fundamental changes to world trade rules so that trade will work for everyone.

Comhlámh, Trocaire, Oxfam, the ICTU Solidarity Committee, Christian Aid, Action Aid, Fair Trade Ireland, and Banulacht will all be mobilising personnel for the day.
 
Members of the public will be asked by Comhlamh to 'Vote for Trade Justice' over the course of the day.

"With fairer trade rules, developing countries could exit poverty. However, world trade rules hold poor countries in a poverty trap. If Tanzania or Zambia export raw unprocessed products, they come in to this country, tax free. But if they process them, have jobs there, with people earning an honest living, then Europe and other rich countries slap taxes on their goods. The result is we get the jobs, they stay poor" said Conall O'Caoimh, Policy Officer at Comhlámh, the Irish Association of Development Workers.

This week is the worldwide Global Week of Action for Trade Justice. Throughout the world people are holding events to draw attention to unjust trade rules. Earlier in the week, Comhlámh held a Lotto Lunch for TDs and Senators in Buswells Hotel. In 15 towns and cities around Ireland groups are holding a symbolic 'Vote for Trade Justice'. In Nairobi, Kenya, a march to the EU office called for Europe not to tie its aid packages to trade agreements. In London, campaigners went to Westminster at 4am to issue a 'Wake Up Call' to parliament.

Ends

Further details Conall O'Caoimh, 087-972-4271, or Paul O'Mahony on 087-965 3877
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Editors’ Note: Comhlámh is the Irish Association of Development Workers and is a membership organisation that is open to all members of the public interested in global justice and human rights issues. It celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and has over 4,000 supporters nationwide. Former patrons include Mary Robinson. Website: www.comhlamh.org