03 December 2009 (Brussels/Geneva) – The World Trade Organization Ministerial Meeting held in Geneva this 30th November to 2nd December generated great expectations as to the role played by this institution within the context of the current global economic crisis. Regrettably, there was an absence of any meaningful reassessment of the WTO-conventional trade model, despite its role in driving the food, climate change and economic crises which have been so devastating for producers and workers in developing countries. Instead ministers adopted a business as usual approach, by calling for a speedy conclusion of the Doha Round by 2010.

On the occasion of 'Buy Nothing Day', November 28th, Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust held a street activity in Valletta as part of the I SHOP FAIR project.

Through this activity KKĠ raised awareness about the degrading conditions textile and garment producers work in. Activists encouraged the public to give cards to shop owners asking them to ensure that textile and garment workers of their products have their labour rights respected. The cards distributed to the public emphasized the following labour rights:

1. right to a fair wage
2. right to join a trade union
3. right to health care and safe working environment
4. right for workers to be secure and not discriminated against

KKĠ took the opportunity to remind the public to 'really think about what they are consuming' and the social inequalities that exist between consumers in the North and those in the South.