The controversial TTIP and CETA trade deals could leave people’s access to basic rights such as water and energy at the mercy of large multinational corporations as part of a wholesale takeover of public services, a new report has warned.
The ‘Public Services Under Attack’ report, released by a group of international NGOs and trade unions, claims that the CETA and TTIP trade deals, being negotiated between the EU, and Canada and the US respectively, would expose public services to highly damaging “commercialization” from multinational corporations.
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While the UK government has previously stated that “TTIP will not change the way that the NHS, or other public services, is run,” the report has raised questions over the legitimacy of such claims, pointing out the ‘negative list’ approach to public services in the CETA deal.
“This means that all services are subject to liberalization unless an explicit exception is made.”
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Concerns Multinationals Could Cut Off Water Supply
While details of the proposed trade deals are currently being negotiated in secret, there are fears that any potential ‘negative list’ on public services could include basic human needs, such as the provision of water.
“It shows the aggressive agenda of services corporations with regards to TTIP and CETA, pushing for far-reaching market opening in areas such as health, cultural and postal services, and water, which would allow them to enter and dominate the markets.”
Among the gravest concerns is that if privatization of water services is included in the TTIP, multinationals could potentially turn off someone’s water supply over a pay dispute, raising human rights concerns.
Full article: TTIP and CETA Would ‘Remove People’s Rights From Basic Human Needs’ (Sputnik News)
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