For Labor Day, cardinal urges putting people first in trade policies

Published: 2004-08-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In the U.S. bishops' annual Labor Day statement, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington urged U.S. leaders to "look at trade policies from the bottom up -- how they touch the lives of the poorest families and most vulnerable workers in our own country and around the world." Cardinal McCarrick, who issued the statement as chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Domestic Policy, said Labor Day is a good time to think about "how to make sure the global economy works for all." "Trade policies must reflect fundamental values of justice and dignity while encouraging sustainable growth, fighting poverty, respecting workers' rights and caring for the environment," he said. Labor Day is Sept. 6 this year. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released the cardinal's statement, "Global Trade That Works for All," Aug. 17. In a globalized economy, Cardinal McCarrick said, "decisions made by governments and companies far from our borders can help or hurt the economic vitality of America's urban centers and rural areas. Decisions made here can affect the ability of subsistence farmers and factory workers in Central America, Africa and Asia to earn a living and feed their families."

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