Edward Miller

Edward is a political activist and trade unionist. Qualified in law and currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Edward was deeply involved in the NZ campaign to stop the TPPA from 2012 to 2015. He is now trying to use his position in the Asia-Pacific to promote activism around issues like TPPA and RCEP amongst workers and unions in the region.

Workers call on Governments to Defend the Public Interest and Reject RCEP

We are trade union and civil society representatives from seven Asian countries who came together to discuss the impacts on labour rights and quality public services of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between 16 Asian nations. RCEP proposes to open markets and deregulate substantial sectors of the economies involved, including trade in goods …

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RCEP Protest in India

Evergreening clause dropped after stiff opposition from India

The Daily Excelsior reports that provisions relating to the evergreening of patents have been dropped from RCEP negotiations after stiff opposition from India. ‘Evergreening’ involves making extremely minor changes to a patented product as a product expires, triggering a new period of patent protection: “It may be noted that some RCEP countries had tried to introduce a …

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New animated short on El Salvador v Oceanagold ISDS claim

A new animated short film telling the story of the El Salvador v Oceanagold ISDS claim has just premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival. The film, called ‘Water for Gold‘, was directed by Rose Archer and produced by Sandani Wijetunge, who together have been working on the upcoming Beautiful Democracy film, which covers the NZ …

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India plays hardball on goods tariffs

Ahead of the upcoming RCEP negotiation round in Laos this week, the Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has signified her country’s intention to not reduce tariffs on goods to zero (i.e. tariff reduction, not tariff elimination). An unnamed government official is quoted in The Hindu BusinessLine saying that the level of tariff reduction India will offer in …

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Civil society groups say No to investors suing States in RCEP

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is being negotiated in secret by 16 countries. A leaked copy of its investment chapter includes proposals to allow foreign investors to sue governments. 95 national and regional civil society organisations which cover all RCEP countriesstrongly urge RCEP countries to reject ISDS in the agreement.