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Free-trade agreements processes

Since the beginning of the 1990s, the need to create a minimum social foundation for the development of trade – including safeguards against “social dumping” – has resulted in the signing of an increasing number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), which include a labour dimension, either in the agreement itself or in a parallel agreement (see the ILO Hub on Labour Provisions in Trade Agreements, which includes over 320 trade agreements). Such “labour provisions” list minimum commitments to respect but also promote fundamental principles and rights at work, often with reference to specific international labour standards. At times, these provisions together with “sustainability provisions” of FTAs provide a framework for dialogue with civil society on issues relevant to international trade and fundamental labour rights, and for governing the cooperation between the signatory parties. This dialogue and cooperation can be translated into development cooperation, technical assistance, exchange of information and best practice, research and actions aimed at promoting labour rights (such as training and guides for labour inspectors and the social partners). Some FTAs may also include commitments related to monitoring and processing sanctions in the event of non-compliance.
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The Consultative Committee within the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement
Discussions conducted within the framework of the Consultative Committee are a form of cross-border social dialogue established within the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).Chapter 5 on social aspects p…
The Civil Society Dialogue Forum and European Union Domestic Advisory Group (EU-DAG) within the European Union-Central America Association Agreement (EU-CAAA)
Discussions conducted within the Civil Society Dialogue Forum framework and the European Union Domestic Advisory Groups (EU-DAGs) established in the context of the European Union-Central America Association Agreement (EU-CAAA) cre…
The Civil Society Forum and the European Union Domestic Advisory Group (EU-DAG) within the European Union-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement
Discussions conducted within the framework of the Civil Society Forum and the European Union Domestic Advisory Groups (EU-DAGs) established in the context of this European Union-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) create…
The Joint Civil Society Dialogue Forum and the European Union Domestic Advisory Group (EU-DAG) within the European Union-Georgia Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
Discussions conducted in the Joint Civil Society Dialogue Forum framework and the European Union Domestic Advisory Groups (EU-DAGs) of the European Union-Georgia Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade (DCFTA) are a form of cross-border…