Free trade equals opportunity for all. Grow the global economy and wealth will abound for all. The experience of workers through this change process has generally, with few exceptions, been devastating. Jobs are continuously being lost before the chainsaw of downsizing, outsourcing, casualising transformation. Basic union rights are challenged in all but a few countries.
Material conditions diminish for the majority, whilst a minority revels in unimaginable wealth.
Uncertainty and anxiety stalk daily, corroding spirit and soul of the working majority. As Eric Hobsbawn has observed, globalisation has produced, tense, mistrustful, anxiety-haunted societies . Everywhere the environment is plundered in the name of development, progress, profit. Politicians side with minority corporate interests veiled by proclamation of commitment to the nation s general interest. Recognition has grown that this is a pathway to oblivion.