[news] IOC-ILO Agreement means no games for BC

[Bella]

For Immediate Release
June 12, 2003

OPEN LETTER TO THE IOC:

1. NO GAMES 2010 Coalition has acquired a copy of the following document
that makes clear the formal relationship between the IOC and the ILO. This
 document reads as follows:

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Labour
Organization (ILO) share a common belief in the right of all human beings
to pursue their spiritual and material development in conditions
of freedom, dignity, and equal opportunity. Both entities work for the
creation of a peaceful world founded on social justice, tolerance and
understanding between individuals and cultures.

The IOC and the ILO place the utmost importance on international
solidarity, and make their special contribution to human development and
the pursuit of excellence in accordance with their respective mandates and
principles.

Sharing these common goals, the IOC and ILO have therefore decided to
cooperate in promoting social justice and human dignity worldwide through
their respective fields of activity. The IOC and the ILO undertake to
encourage activities in pursuit of this objective, particularly those
which contribute to the elimination of poverty and child labour and the
development of individual potential of creative talents and productive
skills.

To this end, the Parties have agreed that a joint IOC/ILO working group
will be established to develop a programme of mutual cooperation.

This agreement will become effective upon signature by both parties and
shall remain in force till such time as one party informs the other in
writing that it wishes to terminate the agreement.

Done at Lausanne this 19th day of January 1998, in two originals in the
English and French language."


Michel HANSENNE
Director-General
International Labour Office


Juan Antonio SAMARANCH
President
International Olympic Committee



2. Canada is a member state of the International Labour Organization. The
ILO  recently found that the British Columbia government violated basic
international rights and standards protecting workers.



3. The government of British Columbia passed six pieces of legislation
affecting 150,000 workers in education, health care and social services.
These laws impose contracts, force an end to legal strike action, and
strip basic protections from negotiated collective agreements.

4. The Liberal government of BC is a main proponent and driving force
behind BC's bid for the 2010 Winter Olympic games.

5. The IOC is bound by its agreement with the ILO and should be precluded 
from working with the province of BC to bring the Games to Vancouver as
long as the government is in violation of ILO standards and the standing
agreement between the IOC and ILO.

6. NO GAMES 2010 Coalition calls upon the IOC to respect its own agreement
with the ILO and not award the 2010 Games to Vancouver.




For more information, contact,

Christopher A. Shaw, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Research Pavilion
828 W. 10th Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V5Z 1L8
tel: 604-875-4111 (ext. 68373)
Fax: 604-875-4376
e-mail: csshawlab at hotmail.com


=====
"I got no patience for civil complacence"

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