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<P>“We are greatly disappointed
with the move and remarks made by (Deputy US Trade Representative) Karan Bhatia,”
the Malaysian Airlines System Employees’ Union (Maseu) executive secretary
Mustafar Maarof said in a statement today.</P><P>“Bhatia is not only undermining
the government and the bumiputeras. Instead he took advantage of his presence
here to teach the Malaysian government how to conclude the fifth round talk on
the FTA,” he said.</P><P>The visiting US official said yesterday that a failure
of the free trade talks will send wrong signals that the two countries “were
not open for business” and warned there could be a significant fallout if
the two sides failed to strike a deal.</P><P>Maseu voiced concerns on issues of
fundamental worker rights and labour standards evolved from the free trade talks.</P><P>“All
such trade agreement talks must be transparently open to the public, trade unions
and civil society organisations must be consulted,” the union added.</P><P><B>Fourth
round concluded</B></P><P>The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial
Organisations, together with the Malaysian Trades Union Congress have voiced opposition
to the free trade talks unless respective governments adequately address the deteriorating
state of workers’ rights.</P><P>Malaysian and US negotiators concluded the
fourth round of negotiations less than two weeks ago in San Francisco.</P><P>Washington
wants to conclude negotiations on the FTA by the end of March, in time to present
the deal to Congress before the president’s fast-track Trade Promotion Authority
expires on July 1.</P><P>However International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah
Aziz has said she doubts the negotiations will meet the deadline, with talks bogged
down in sensitive areas including the services sector, investment and government
procurement.</P><P>The US is seeking access to lucrative Malaysian state contracts,
which favour the country’s majority ethnic Malays and indigenous groups, or "bumiputeras"
as they are known.</P><P>Opposition to the FTA has been growing among Malaysian
activists who say the talks lack transparency and that livelihoods could be damaged
by possible concessions to the US.</P>
<P><I>Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/62884</I>
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