[APWSLMembers 407] Workers urge Senate and Congress to junk the All-Trade Pact Toxic waste provisions prove again that JPEPA is disadvantageous for Filipinos

[Kilusang Mayo Uno]

KILUSANG MAYO UNO
( May First Labor Center)
TAGAPAMANDILA NG TUNAY NA UNYONISMO
No. 63 Narra St. Bgy. Claro, Proj. 3 Quezon City
Telefax 421-0768, 421-0986 
<mailto:kilusangmayouno at gmail.com>kilusangmayouno at gmail.com


NEWS RELEASE
October 25, 2005

Workers urge Senate and Congress to junk the All-Trade Pact
Toxic waste provisions prove again that JPEPA is disadvantageous for Filipinos

Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today issued strong 
opposition to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement 
(JPEPA) approved between the RP and Japan governments. KMU also urged 
members of Senate and Congress to junk the All-Trade Pact that will 
allow the entry into the country of highly damaging, hazardous toxic 
wastes from Japan.

The JPEPA was signed last September 9 in Helsinki. This agreement, 
that has been prepared since 2002, was signed by President Gloria 
Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. It 
has been negotiated secretly, even without any information to the 
House of Representatives or the Senate.

"The JPEPA is more than a trade agreement. It is essentially about 
increasing and ensuring Japanese investments. Advanced countries like 
Japan have already ensured market expansion for their manufacturers, 
traders and service providers. Now, Japanese corporations want the 
removal of remaining constraints in their entry and operation," said 
KMU International Department Secretary Tess Dioquino.

She further added, "Corporations and investors are coming here 
because they want to take advantage of lower wages and weaker labor, 
health and safety, and environmental measures. The JPEPA deregulates 
Japanese investments further. Such agreements which aim to increase 
investor rights and benefits, will only be to the detriment of the 
underdeveloped countries like the Philippines."

"The dominance of TNCs in the Philippines harms the growth of 
domestic-owned companies. Our economy hasn't benefited from all the 
former "economic partnerships" controlled by former colonial masters 
such as the US and Japan."

Companies in industrialized countries want to increase their profits 
by avoiding the environmental rules in their counties. By just 
exporting to the Philippines, they have a very cheap solution for 
their waste. The JPEPA sets a zero tariff for ash and residues, waste 
organic solvents, pharmaceutical waste, municipal waste and even 
chemical wastes.

"By signing such agreements President Macapagal-Arroyo menaces the 
health of the Filipino people and the livelihood of farmers and 
fishermen. The provisions on toxic waste prove that the JPEPA is 
disadvantageous for the Filipino people." Dioquino concluded.

Japan is already dominantly present in the Philippine economy. It is 
an important source of financing for a bankrupt Philippine 
government. But Japan also earns billions of dollars for whatever it 
decides to pour into the country. In 2002, Japanese corporations 
belonging to the top 1,000 corporations in the Philippines raked in 
nearly P595 billion ($10.54 billion) in revenues. #



Reference: Tess Dioquino, KMU International Department Secretary, 421-1049


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