GSP plus
The European Union
Finance Ministers are expected to suspend the GSP plus facility
granted to Sri Lanka. The news should not take anyone by
surprise as it was expected for some time.
This is one more instance where the West has mixed trade with
politics. This is the same wrong policy followed by them in many
trade including the Doha Round. Needless to say this is
unethical and illogical.
The yardstick they have chosen is an ambiguous and elastic
one - human rights. A mere comparison of human rights in various
countries would show that Sri Lanka is far ahead of many
countries. The majority of members of the European Union are
being pushed on to this illogical decision by a minority of
powerful nations.
Sri Lanka has never declined to investigate any allegations
of human rights whenever they are substantiated by the accusers.
It cannot, however, conduct investigations on hearsay.
Also it would not allow any outsiders to conduct
investigations in the country. That would amount to an
infringement on the country’s sovereignty. In fact, no
self-respecting nation would do so.
In the case of the European Union too Sri Lanka had taken
note of its concerns. It has indigenous mechanisms to
investigate human rights violations. Besides the Human Rights
Commission, several Presidential investigations were also
conducted on several complaints made.
In any case Sri Lanka has never committed human rights
violations of the magnitude of Mai Lai, Abu Ghraib or those in
Gaza during the Palestinian intifada.
Obviously, the west has two standards concerning human
rights. It is always the developing nations that are victimized
using human rights violations, both fictitious and real.
The GSP plus facility was, in any case, a temporary measure.
It was granted by the EU in the wake of the disastrous tsunami
that struck our shores in December 2004. Therefore, it would
have been unrealistic to expect it to continue for ever. Sooner
or later it would have ended.
The fact that the end was so near has more to do with
politics than with human rights. It is necessary to recall here
that the Opposition during the Presidential polls campaign
hinted that its victory would ensure the continuation of the
facility. Also most decisions regarding the facility were taken
by the EU on dates that coincided with important dates in the
elections calendar in Sri Lanka. It is too much to expect it to
be coincidental. Certainly an attempt was made to influence the
vote by threats to annul the facility.
There is no need to panic. Even if the facility is suspended
it would come into effect in six months only. During this time
Sri Lanka could still engage the EU in a dialogue and attempt to
convince a majority of EU members of the improved human rights
situation in the country. It is no secret that in conditions of
war the tendency of human rights violations taking place could
be greater. Now that the war has ended and the proliferation of
illicit arms is curbed human rights climate should improve. In
fact, it has improved.
Another step that is necessary and possible during the six
months left is to find alternative concessionary markets for our
garments. This could be negotiated at bilateral level.
The most important task left, however, is to infuse new
technology into the garment industry so as to improve its labour
productivity. This would be a long standing gain as it would
make our goods more competitive in the world market. This would
force even the EU to depend on our products.
Finally there should be a package of assistance to the
industry to offset the loss caused by the suspension of GSP plus
so that the employers could guarantee employment to the workers
in the industry. In fact, the Government had it all worked out
to give such necessary support to the industry. The fall out, in
any case, is not as great as the Opposition tried to portray at
the election campaign.
It is a challenge for Sri Lanka. Our economy is no longer
weak. It is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. With
correct and prudent economic and fiscal management it would not
be a Herculean task to meet this challenge. |