Georgia must respect labour standards provisions

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has written to Karel De Gucht, EU Commissioner for Trade, and Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security calling again for an investigation to be initiated with a view to withdrawing trade preferences to Georgia so long as that country continues to violate trade union rights.

Following a decision in the United States to open such an investigation, the ETUC urges Karel De Gucht and Catherine Ashton, to take action that will lead the Georgian authorities to understand that concrete progress on labour rights is now essential if they are to hope to develop their relations with the European Union. The ETUC also calls on the High representative to raise the issue during her visit to the country this week.

The ETUC letter can be downloaded here