EU-Central America negotiations: fundamental righs have to be on the agenda

Brussels, 25/03/2009

With this open letter, the trade union movement expresses its discontent over the way the negotiations are proceeding and the limited participation of civil society in these negotiations. The proposal for a social chapter, tabled several months ago by the trade unions as a way of guaranteeing socio-professional rights, have not been taken into account to date.

ETUC considers it very serious for an association agreement to be signed without there being any guarantees concerning the cessation of violations of human rights and trade union rights in the Central American countries.
Juan Moreno will represent the ETUC at the EU-Central America Trade Union Conference to be held in Guatemala in April in order to evaluate the results of the Tegucigalpa round negotiations.