“The Government’s “Buy Global” campaign appears to be progressing very well,” Trade Union Federation President, Maxine Gay, said today.

“The announcement that Bendon will be moving production offshore should certainly give the campaign to encourage New Zealanders to buy overseas goods a boost.

“It must be particularly exciting for the Government that New Zealanders may soon have the opportunity to buy brands like Bendon and Elle Macpherson undergarments for a much lower price due to the fact that they will be made by workers in East European sweatshops paid 30 cents an hour and forced to scavenge for food on their days off,” Ms Gay said .

The Buy Global campaign was adopted by the Government at APEC as part of its free trade communications strategy and includes a logo featuring a figure bestriding the globe.

“Free trade is transforming the globe into a giant pyramid of exploitation with our own workers being forced to join the race to the bottom.

“New Zealand’s staggering $1,710 million merchandise trade deficit (year to June 1999), up from a deficit of $209 million the year before and a $2,400 million surplus in 1992 is a sure sign that any jobs the 400 Bendon workers find in the future will be even lower paid than those they have lost.

“Buying global will cost us the earth,” Ms Gay concluded.

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