What social face of the new EU trade agreements? Beyond the ‘soft' approach
Van den Putte, Lore ; Orbie, Jan ; Bossuyt, Fabienne ; Martens, Deborah ; De Ville, Ferdi
European Trade Union Institute, Brussels
ETUI - Brussels
2015
5 p.
EU policy ; social policy ; trade agreement ; workers rights
ETUI Policy Brief. European Economic, Employment and Social Policy
13/2015
Trade
English
Bibliogr.
2031-8782
"The EU has often been accused of soft approach to trade-labour linkages in trade agreement by the inclusion of labour provisions in the trade and sustainable development chapter and by a focus on cooperation and dialogue. Rather than focusing on hard enforcement proceeding, the EU is not yet exploring all the opportunities created under these chapters.
This Policy Brief outlines a different approach that the EU can use in demanding respect for labour rights in its trade agreement with third countries. It shows the need to develop a thorough, systematic and inclusive monitoring process involving civil society while developing an holistic approach for the promotion of labour rights going beyond EU's trade relations. "
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