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Trudeau defends NAFTA, calls for labour improvements

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Mexico City, Oct 14 (IANS) Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has defended the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and called for changes to the deal that ensure workers across the region enjoy better labour standards and compensation.

“Our challenge lies in ensuring that everyone benefits from economic growth. And we do that by pursuing an ambitious vision of what the future can – and should – look like,” Trudeau said on Friday in a speech before the Mexican Senate, Efe news reported.

He said the economies of the US, Canada and Mexico had been tightly integrated by NAFTA and that integration was more important than ever.

Speaking on the second and final day of his official visit to Mexico, he noted that the North American free trade area was the world’s largest and represented more than a quarter of global gross domestic product.

Trade between Mexico and Canada exceeded $20 billion in 2016 and has increased nine-fold since NAFTA took effect in 1994.

He said the two countries should use that relationship as a springboard for close collaboration on the great challenges of our time, including climate change and respect for human rights.

Trudeau also urged the lawmakers to use their influence to effect change that helps women in Mexico and elsewhere.

“As a gender-balanced Senate, I challenge you to use your position and power to strongly push for the rights of women and girls in Mexico and around the world,” he said.

The Prime Minister furthermore called for strengthening the middle class to ensure people are prospering in a globalised world and are certain that employers and governments are looking out for their wellbeing.

To that end, NAFTA — which US President Donald Trump is seeking to renegotiate and possibly scrap in favor of bilateral agreements – must contain stronger protections for workers.

“Progressive labour standards are how we ensure that a modernized NAFTA will also bolster not just free and fair trade, but will enjoy long-lasting popular support,” he said.

Trudeau also alluded to a key element in current NAFTA renegotiation talks — low Mexican wages relative to the US and Canada.

“We must pursue trade agreements that are win, win, win, helping workers across North America achieve better standards, wages and working conditions,” he said.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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