Chile trade ban to remain

Press, 8 May 1982, Page 1

Chile trade ban to remain

Wellington reporter The trade union ban on Chile will remain at least until August. The president of the Federation of Labour, Mr W. J. Knox, yesterday told the F.O.L. conference that he would recommend to the International Conference of Free Trade Unions in July that the ban be lifted, but that he would be subject to the board’s advice. The ban has been in force since 1975, and was imposed in New Zealand by the F.O.L. after a request by the I.C.F.T.U. to its affiliates for an international ban on trade. The reason for the ban has been held to be the repression of trade union activity by the military government of General Pinochet. Mr W. R. Cameron (Canterbury Trades Council) said unions had “ratted” on

F.O.L. policy and not applied the ban. But they should not congratulate themselves that a review of the ban was due to them. The “vanguard” of those imposing the ban in New Zealand wanted the review, he said. Mr Knox said that any lifting of the ban would be accompanied by other strong action against the Pinochet regime, and it would be his recommendation to the I.C.F.T.U. board that the action apply internationally. In an oblique answer to questions seeking reasons for the lifting of the ban, Mr Knox said that only groups of unions were implementing the policy of the I.C.F.T.U. In debates on whether conditions had improved in Chile as a result of the ban, delegates were divided. Mr M. Cullen (Freezing Workers Clerical) said that his visit to Chile and talks

with union leaders there established that “none saw the worth of penalising trade.” They needed the money. He said it was “rubbish” that conditions were worse. There was no comparison now with what had been. Poland was now trading with Chile, he said. ~Ms Sonja Davies (F.O.L. S&iional executive) said' the “resident ' of the Chilean (P.S.A. had been murdered recently on his way to a trade union gathering. The chairman of the Human Rights Committee in Chile had been exiled. She said the opinion of exiled Chilean trade unionists was that the trade ban showed that people overseas still cared. Mr J. W. Milne (Wellington Waterside Workers) said Chilean goods were coming into New Zealand and being

handled by unions, and bought by members. “We support the ban, but trade unionists in this organisation are not implementing it,” he said. Delegates agreed that any lifting of the ban should be accompanied by redoubled action against the Chilean Government, and should not hurt workers. Mr Knox said there was no free trade union in Chile; the Chilean Government elected union leaders, and elected delegates to International Labour Organisation conferences. Mr Knox said he would report to the F.O.L. executive on the I.C.F.T.U.’s evaluation on August 3. The president of the Chambers of Commerce, Mr Allan Williams, said it was “tragic” that the F.O.L. had not gone all the way and lifted its ban on trade with Chile, reports the Press Association. Chile presented New Zealand with a ready market worth tens of millions of dollars. This in turn would mean new jobs, said Mr Williams. The Minister of Labour (Mr Bolger) said he was

pleased the F.O.L. was finally facing up to the ineffectiveness of the ban. “The only group who are suffering from it are New Zealanders. I hope that the recommendation is accepted and put into place as soon as possible,” he said. The member of Parliament for Selwyn, Miss Ruth Richardson, last evening welcomed the F.O.L. move. Miss Richardson has been a firm opponent of the ban and earlier this week said that the Arbitration Court should be given the power to lift bans that interrupted export opportunities. She said last evening that she' was sure the ban would be lifted. The. International Confederation of Free Trade Unions respected the autonomy of the F.O.L. and had the attitude that the trade ban with Chile served no useful purpose. She was not disappointed that the conference had not voted outright to lift the ban. The decision to review the ban after checks with the I.C.F.T.U. was a face-saving measure, she said. Further reports, P. 3, P. 6