"..*D*ie-hard apologists for LPG policies are telling us - in passionate editorials and write-ups - that FDI in retail is just what the doctor ordered for India. They tell us if companies like Wal-Mart (the US MNC retail chain) are allowed to open up outlets in India, they will create one crore new jobs; that the consumer will benefit from low prices. Is that true? Let's be fair. Let's not ask the people of third world countries like Argentine or Chile what the Wal-Mart experience has been like. Let's ask people right at Wal-Mart's own home in the USA. Did you know that Wal-Mart has been struggling since 2005 to open an outlet, and has been unable to do so due to fierce opposition from local people and unions - in none other than New York City! Why are the New Yorkers opposing Wal-Mart? Because, they say, Wal-Mart is notorious for
Killing jobs Putting mom-and-pop stores out of business and destroying communities Driving down wages Disallowing unions and having extremely low wages and exploitative working conditions If Wal-Mart is doing all that in the USA, why should we invite it to India? So that it can destroy local communities, put small stores out of business, kill jobs and employ people in sweatshop conditions right here in India?! Wal-Mart is run by the Walton family - which is the richest family in the world. Is it fair to force the family eking out a living running the corner store on your street, to compete with the richest in the world? It is pretty obvious that in India, much of the retail trade is a kind of disguised unemployment. Those who are unable to find jobs elsewhere, somehow survive by running a small shop, handcart, or selling vegetables on the street. Even if we accept the Govt's claim that FDI in retail will create a crore jobs, should we not ask how many jobs and means of survival it will jeopardise and destroy in India? What about the 'low prices' claim? It is well known how the giant MNC and corporate retail chains, when they enter a market, squeeze out the smaller retailers by selling at low prices. And, once they establish a monopoly control on the market, they can then easily raise prices. Like Trojan horses, they enter countries like ours (and local communities even in the US), wooing us with goodies and low prices. Once they've achieved their objective and established a monopoly, we're at the mercy of whatever prices they demand! We've already seen how corporate and MNC retail chains are notorious for the most ill-paid, exploitative jobs with least democracy at the workplace. Also, how these retail chains destroy far more jobs than they create. But what about farmers? Won't they benefit if MNCs procure from them directly? All around the world, it has been seen how corporate and MNC retail chains squeeze small farmers, forcing them to sell at low prices and laying down arbitrary quality standards which most farmers can't meet. By allowing FDI in retail, the Govt. is actually paving the way to cut back on procurement by Govt., which will further jeopardise agriculture and food security. Already, Reliance and other Indian corporates are getting a foothold in the Indian retail market. Now the giant MNC retail chains are being invited in. Corporate and MNC entry will destroy the livelihoods of countless family store owners, street vendors, shop employees. As they gain control of agri-business, they will dictate terms to farmers. Let us join the traders, unions and common people all over the country in forcing the Govt. to withdraw its decision to allow 51% FDI in retail! Let's tell the UPA Govt - we won't allow Wal-Marts of the world to rob our people of livelihood and survival!" DELHI STATE COMMITTEE, CPI(ML) LIBERATION CONTACT: 9560756628, 9868430040 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
