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The Impact of Labour Rights Commitments in EU Trade Agreements: The Case of Peru

Author

Listed:
  • Jan Orbie

    (Centre for EU Studies, Department of Political Science, Ghent University, Belgium)

  • Lore Van den Putte

    (Centre for EU Studies, Department of Political Science, Ghent University, Belgium)

  • Deborah Martens

    (Centre for EU Studies, Department of Political Science, Ghent University, Belgium)

Abstract

While the inclusion of labour rights in European Union (EU) trade agreements has become an ‘unobjectionable norm’, analyses of their impact have been largely absent from the literature. This article aims to partly fill this gap in existing research by examining the impact of labour rights commitments in the EU–Peru–Colombia agreement, with particular reference to the agricultural sector in Peru. Following a brief background overview of labour rights in agriculture in Peru, we draw up the analytical framework for assessing the impact of these commitments. We discern three distinctive legal commitments and find that they are flexible and conservative, also compared to provisions in other EU trade agreements. Subsequently, we assess the impact of these commitments by analysing to what extent they are being upheld in practice. Empirical evidence from several sources, including field research, shows that the Peruvian government has failed to implement the labour rights commitments in several respects. In the conclusions, we point to the cautious role of the EU, which has scope to monitor Peru’s labour rights compliance more proactively.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Orbie & Lore Van den Putte & Deborah Martens, 2017. "The Impact of Labour Rights Commitments in EU Trade Agreements: The Case of Peru," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 6-18.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v5:y:2017:i:4:p:6-18
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v5i4.1091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Monica Schuster & Miet Maertens, 2017. "Worker Empowerment Through Private Standards. Evidence from the Peruvian Horticultural Export Sector," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(4), pages 618-637, April.
    2. Jeffrey S. Vogt, 2017. "The Bangladesh Sustainability Compact: An Effective Tool for Promoting Workers’ Rights?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 80-92.
    3. Jeffrey S. Vogt, 2017. "The Bangladesh Sustainability Compact: An Effective Tool for Promoting Workers’ Rights?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 80-92.
    4. 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.
    5. Liam CAMPLING & James HARRISON & Ben RICHARDSON & Adrian SMITH, 2016. "Can labour provisions work beyond the border? Evaluating the effects of EU free trade agreements," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 155(3), pages 357-382, September.
    6. 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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    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. María J. García, 2022. "Sanctioning Capacity in Trade and Sustainability Chapters in EU Trade Agreements: The EU–Korea Case," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 58-67.
    3. 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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