Oman Free Trade Agreement

The latest item on Congress’ free trade agenda is an agreement with the country of Oman. The USW is opposed to this agreement. The Oman FTA follows the pattern of putting corporate interests far ahead of the interests of working people and lowering the standards for U.S. workers and workers around the globe.

Sweatshops Exposed in Jordan, a U.S. “Free Trade” Partner

In the last two weeks, horrific sweatshop conditions have been exposed in Jordan. When the U.S. – Jordan Free Trade Agreement passed through Congress a few years ago, their laws complied with International Labor Organization standards. Both the U.S. and Jordan also committed to enforcing their laws and committing to workers’ rights. But, even with this agreement, guest workers in Jordan have suffered from terrible conditions: 20-hour days, not being paid for months, and being beaten or jailed for speaking out.

In Oman, the situation Could Become Much Worse

Right now, Oman’s laws do not comply with basic worker standards. There are no free, independent labor unions to collectively speak out against worker abuses. Oman, like Jordan, has a high number of guest workers that are even more susceptible to having their rights violated. Without adequate laws or any mechanism to enforce standards, there is a great danger for Oman’s workers. Plus, we are all too familiar with corporations that thrive on opportunities to leave the U.S. to take advantage of weak standards that allow them to exploit people in the name of making more money for people who already have plenty to go around.

What Can We Do?
Please Call your Representative today!
Dial the Capitol switchboard toll-free at 866-340-9279.
Tell your Representative:

1. Oppose the Oman Free Trade Agreement!
2. We don’t need another free trade agreement that fails workers in the U.S. and abroad.
3. Even if Oman would agree to improve its standards, there is nothing to enforce them in the agreement, or ensure that they don’t change their laws after the agreement is in place.
4. The trade agreement with Jordan shows us that even when worker protections are supposedly in place, sweatshop conditions can thrive!