Travel guide: Unsafe work, job loss and poverty – the impact of the EU-Mercosur agreement on women

Unsafe work, job loss and poverty – women in particular are negatively affected by the impact of neoliberal trade agreements. The agreement between the EU and the four South American countries of Mercosur is a prime example of this. Lack of tax and customs revenues leads to reduced public revenues, resulting in cuts in the social sector, which mainly affects women. In addition, while trade agreements allow access to products at lower prices, they mainly promote export-oriented agriculture and large agricultural groups. This is particularly damaging to small-scale farmers, who are exposed to increased competition and have to fear the loss of their livelihoods. In addition, many women in particular work in precarious sectors, such as the textile sector, which would be particularly affected by further market opening and job losses.

For more information on how and why the EU-Mercosur Agreement is exacerbating social inequality between women and men, see the publication ‘Unsafe work, job loss and poverty: The impact of the EU-Mercosur Agreement on women", in cooperation with women scientists from Brazil and Argentina and the Speech Brasileira Pela Integração dos Povos It originated in Brazil and ATTAC Argentina.

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