Commerce Ministry spokesman: US GSP review unrelated to ex-Minister's travel restriction

[snoop1130]

Commerce Ministry spokesman: US GSP review unrelated to ex-Minister's travel restriction
NNT News

BANGKOK, 22 January 2015 (NNT) –- The US's review of Thailand in its Generalized System of Preferences scheme is unrelated to the fact that the NCPO has prohibited the former Minister of Energy to travel to the US, the Ministry of Commerce stressed.

The Ministry of Commerce Spokesperson Banjongjitt Angsusingh has addressed this rumour and said that this information is false as the US reviews its GSP scheme every year.

She said that the review to the GSP allows all related persons to file petitions concerning products and country practices, while the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is in the process of reviewing Thailand’s request to add more products to the GSP benefits, as well as to retain some product categories in the scheme.

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has alleged that Thailand lacks the labour protection in keeping with the international standards. However, the Minister of Commerce spokesperson has said the delegation from Thailand has elaborated to the USTR about Thailand’s intention to provide protection to labourers in compliance with the international standards.

She said that the US officials affirmed to the Thai delegation that the US did not wish to revoke Thailand’s GSP benefits, but wanted to urge and support Thailand to upgrade its labour protection standards.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNPOL5901220010006

-- NNT 2016-01-22

[kimamey]

"However, the Minister of Commerce spokesperson has said the delegation from Thailand has elaborated to the USTR about Thailands intention to provide protection to labourers in compliance with the international standards."

It always seems to be what they intend to do but never what they have done.

[Utley]

So why did the NCPO prohibit the former Minister of Energy to travel to the US?