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Consequences of Free Trade - The End of the World Textile Agreement and the Impact on Workers

In times of uncertain global economic conditions and increasing social conflicts, hardly any topic is as controversial as free trade. In autumn 2015, 250,000 people took to the streets in Berlin alone against the planned free trade agreements TTIP and CETA. For a serious discussion about the consequences of free trade, it makes sense to take a look at the global market for textiles and clothing, which has been largely liberalised since 2005.
The authors, Dr. Sabine Ferenschild and Julia Schniewind, can prove that many predictions made in previous studies from 2004 and 2009 have now become reality. In particular, there has been an increase in competition between production sites, further relocations to Asia and, in some cases, even a deterioration in working conditions. Large brand companies in particular are benefiting from the expansion of world trade in textiles and clothing.
The study shows that free trade in textiles and clothing is not equally beneficial for all parties involved and that further national and international measures are necessary to ensure effective protection of workers: "Instead of discussing trade barriers and their elimination in global trade as before, the discussion must be directed towards intellectual property rights for employees and their implementation", concludes the authors.

Editorial team: Altgeld, Christopher (Otto Brenner Foundation)

Scope: 152 pages
Reference: free of charge for download in Otto Brenner shop.