Trade: It’s Time To Rewrite The Rules! -Bulletin#1

International trade affects millions of the world’s poorest people every day. It influences the work they can find, the money they can earn, the food they can grow, whether there are schools for their children and hospitals for the sick.

The Hebrew Scriptures see widespread poverty and suffering as indicators of injustice within the whole human community which becomes institutionalized by those who write oppressive statutes to turn aside the needy from justice (Isaiah 10.1-2)

Why Should People of Faith Speak Out on Trade?

International trade rules could be the answer to making trade work for the poor rather than against them but at the moment they often do the opposite. Trade rules destroy livelihoods and create misery for hundreds of poor and vulnerable people all over the world.

• Current trade rules encourage countries to produce export crops, often at the expense of local food production. New rules are needed that balance the benefits of exporting with the need to produce food for local people.

• Current trade rules force small-scale farmers in developing countries to compete on the open market with large transnational companies. New rules are needed which recognize that poor farmers and powerful companies sometimes need to be treated differently.

• Current trade policies and practices weaken democratic processes. Rich countries and transnational companies determine the rules that give them the benefits. Poor countries and communities have little or no voice in decisions that affect their daily lives and livelihoods.

• Unfair policies are creating barriers to essential services such as clean water, health care, and education.

• Trade policies are causing unfair working conditions, downward pressure on wages, unsafe working environments and growing unemployment.

• Current trade practices threaten many indigenous cultures by contributing to loss of land, language, religion and ethnic identity.

• Current economic and trade policies focus on the generation of exports, pressure is placed on poor countries to use up their natural resources resulting in harm to both their people and the environment.

Alternatives to Current Trade Rules Can Make a Difference

New and rewritten trade rules have the potential to bring many benefits to impoverished communities around the world.

• They can help eradicate poverty and make the world a fairer and better place.

• They can allow small farmers to grow food for their families and compete in a just economic system.

• They can promote fair wages and safe working conditions.

• They can increase family income thus making it possible for children to attend school and receive basic health care.

• They can assist workers to organize themselves in ways that are transparent, participatory and provide equal employment opportunities.

• They can support environmentally sound practices, which can result in safer products and healthier consumers.

• They can contribute to the rights of indigenous people to a healthy environment for the maintenance of their historical, social and cultural heritage.

  Adopted from materials by Christian Aid (www.christianaid.org.uk)

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