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Labour Standards Provisions in EU Free Trade Agreements: Reflections on the European Commission's Reform Agenda

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  • HARRISON, JAMES
  • BARBU, MIRELA
  • CAMPLING, LIAM
  • EBERT, FRANZ CHRISTIAN
  • MARTENS, DEBORAH
  • MARX, AXEL
  • ORBIE, JAN
  • RICHARDSON, BEN
  • SMITH, ADRIAN

Abstract

Labour standards provisions within the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters of EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are presented as a key element of the EU's commitment to a ‘value-based trade agenda’. But criticism of TSD chapters has led the European Commission to commit to improving their implementation and enforcement, creating a critical juncture in the evolution of the EU's trade–labour linkage. This contribution synthesizes findings from academic studies that have examined the effectiveness of labour standards provisions in EU FTAs. It then considers the reform agenda as presented by the European Commission, and explains how some of the proposals could tackle failures identified. However, it also argues that there are various limitations with the Commission's current proposals, and outlines how legal obligations and institutional mechanisms created by trade agreements could better be harnessed to improve working conditions and rights at work around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Harrison, James & Barbu, Mirela & Campling, Liam & Ebert, Franz Christian & Martens, Deborah & Marx, Axel & Orbie, Jan & Richardson, Ben & Smith, Adrian, 2019. "Labour Standards Provisions in EU Free Trade Agreements: Reflections on the European Commission's Reform Agenda," World Trade Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(4), pages 635-657, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:wotrrv:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:635-657_4
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Home & Mareike Weiner & Christian Schader, 2021. "Smart Mixes in International Supply Chains: A Definition and Analytical Tool, Illustrated with the Example of Organic Imports into Switzerland," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Mauro Caselli & Andrea Fracasso & Stefano Schiavo, 2021. "Trade policy and firm performance: introduction to the special section," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 38(1), pages 1-6, April.
    3. María J. García, 2023. "Implementation of EU Trade Agreements Under an Assertive, Open, and Sustainable Trade Policy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(4), pages 212-222.
    4. Camille Nessel & Elke Verhaeghe, 2022. "‘A Force for Good’: The Narrative Construction of Ethical EU–Vietnam Trade Relations," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(3), pages 741-758, May.

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