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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 Civil Society Forum and the European Union Domestic Advisory Group (EU-DAG) with the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), in force since 21 September 2017, contains two chapters, Chapters 22 and 23, dealing with "Trade and Sustainable Development" and "Trade and Labour", respectively. T…

The Joint Civil Society Dialogue within the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The cross-border social dialogue dimension of this Free Trade Agreement (FTA), in force since 1 January 2021, relates to the FTA’s Chapter 13 on “Trade and Sustainable Development”, which provides for the establishment of a “Joint…

The Joint Forum of Domestic Advisory Groups within the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Viet Nam

The cross-border social dialogue dimension of this Free Trade Agreement (FTA), in force since 1 January 2021, relates to Chapter 13 on Trade and Sustainable Development, which establishes a “Joint Forum of Domestic Advisory Groups…

The Stakeholders Forum within the Singapore-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement

The cross-border social dialogue dimension of the Singapore-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA), in force since 1 January 2021, relates to the FTA’s Chapter 12 on “Trade and Sustainable Development”, which establishes a “Sta…