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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 Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the CARIFORUM States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Discussions conducted in the context of the Consultative Committee established as part of the CARIFORUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), in force since 1 January 2021, are a form of cross-border social dialogue…

The Consultative Committee of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

The Consultative Committee of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a forum composed of trade unions and employer organizations from the four EFTA Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.The Committee…

The EU-DAG and the Consultative Committee within the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement

The trade agreement between the EU and Kenya entered into force on 1 July 2024. Through this agreement, the EU and Kenya will implement bilaterally the regional Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the East Afri…

The EU-US Trade and Labor Dialogue (TALD)

The EU-US Trade and Technology Council serves as a forum for the United States and European Union to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic, and technology issues and deepen transatlantic trade and economic relations…