GATS Mode IV in practice Perspective from

GATS Mode IV in practice – Perspective from Labour and Workers’ Rights Presentation by: Peter Waldorff, General Secretary Public Services International WTO Symposium on “Mode 4 of the GATS: Taking Stock and Moving Forward, ” Geneva, 22 -23 September 2008 1

Public Services International § Global federation of public sector trade unions, representing 20 million workers involved in the delivery of public services such as health, social services, utilities, municipal and state services. § Represents over 7 million workers in the health and social care sectors – currently seeing an increasing phenomenon of migration. § PSI supports opening legal channels for migration. However, migration should not replace promotion of decent work in home countries. 2

Why are we concerned with GATS Mode IV? § Neo-liberal trade is failing… § Clarifying definitions: a TMNP? Or a Migrant Worker? § What about basic human rights and worker protections? 3

Why are we concerned with GATS Mode IV? § Feminization of migration § Dilemma: temporary work vs. brain drain § Migration for development? § Why is the WTO dealing with labour migration? 4

In Summary… We are concerned at, § The potential negative impact of Mode IV on workers’ rights. § Undermining domestic regulation § Questioning the paradigm of migration for development § The WTO has neither mandate nor legitimacy in labour migration 5