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Civil Society Activism under US Free Trade Agreements: The Effects of Actorness on Decent Work

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  • Myriam Oehri

    (Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations, USA)

Abstract

US free trade agreements comprise unique provisions that enable civil society to present public complaints against labor rights violations occurring in the US or its trade partners. To date, a variety of complainants have used these mechanisms, including (inter)national trade unions, human rights organizations, and a priest. And yet, little is known about the submissions’ nature of agency and the effects it has on the procedural continuations to address illicit labor practices. To fill this research lacuna, this article employs a multidisciplinary framework of ‘actorness’ that measures the submitters’ diversity (professionalism/non-professionalism, collectivism/individualism, transnationalism/nationalism) and their effectiveness (rejection/acceptance of submissions and further procedural follow-ups). Combining quantitative examination with in-depth analysis of two diverse cases of actorness, and drawing on expert interviews, public reports, and minutes of meetings, the study reveals that the majority of public submissions were of professional, collective, and transnational nature. However, contrary to what extant literature suggests, this is not a guarantee that they achieve more far-reaching procedural steps in the protection of workers. Non-professional, individual, and national actorness can compensate for the advantages of professionalism, collectivism, and transnationalism.

Suggested Citation

  • Myriam Oehri, 2017. "Civil Society Activism under US Free Trade Agreements: The Effects of Actorness on Decent Work," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 40-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v5:y:2017:i:4:p:40-48
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v5i4.1085
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gerda Van Roozendaal, 2017. "Where Symbolism Prospers: An Analysis of the Impact on Enabling Rights of Labour Standards Provisions in Trade Agreements with South Korea," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 19-29.
    2. Jan Orbie & Gerda Van Roozendaal, 2017. "Labour Standards and Trade: In Search of Impact and Alternative Instruments," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 1-5.

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