made in britain? - you'll never know
WORKERS, FEBRUARY 2004 ISSUE
The European Commission is proposing to re-label origins of all produce in Europe. By substituting "Made in the EU" for labels of origin -- such as "Made in Britain" (or another country) the EU Commissioners are trying to push through further integration.
Not only will goods be stripped of the national identity or selling characteristics -- for example French perfume, Scottish Whisky, or English cloth -- but production could be anywhere within the EU.
Transfer of production will follow from these changes to the source of cheapest labour: Eastern Europe. This would destroy quality, skills and communities of production established over centuries. "Off-shoring" means transferring of work anywhere in the world where technology can provide a service. "Off-labelling" will further strip any identity a worker has with what they produce or where.