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labour | workers’ rights

Independent unions in Mexico use the USMCA to stop abuse at multinational plants
25-May-2022 El Pais
New worker representatives push for renewal under the cross-border agreement to punish labor violations.
Overselling EU trade deals: new study uncovers failures of sustainability impact assessments
11-May-2022 Greenpeace
The European Commission uses flawed and tardy sustainability impact assessments as a fig leaf for environmentally, socially and economically damaging EU trade agreements, according to a new study.
S. Korea presses US to ratify key international labor conventions
28-Apr-2022 Hankyoreh
With the Korean government last year having ratified three conventions, including one prohibiting the use of forced labor, it has now ratified seven of eight core ILO conventions. Meanwhile, the US has ratified only two.
Britain’s hopes of post-Brexit US trade deal ‘depend on workers’ rights’
25-Apr-2022 The Guardian
Unions from both sides of the Atlantic accuse Boris Johnson’s government of failing to grasp importance of labour rights.
Mexican union calls for US probe into alleged labor abuses at Panasonic plant
19-Apr-2022 Reuters
In a petition to US labor officials, Mexican union SNITIS said a Panasonic car parts plant in the border city of Reynosa violated the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
UK will not offer Indians more visas in post-Brexit trade talks
19-Apr-2022 City AM
The government will not allow more Indians to come to the UK through new visa routes in any UK-India free trade deal.
Morrison government’s trade deal with India leaves workers at risk of exploitation, unions say
11-Apr-2022 The Guardian
Australian unions have raised fears the Morrison government’s trade deal with India will fuel the growth of temporary, employer-sponsored migration – a trend they say leaves workers “highly vulnerable to exploitation”.
US plans more labour complaints in Mexico after union votes
9-Mar-2022 Bloomberg
The US is investigating labor-rights violations in Mexico and expects to bring more complaints under the USMCA.
Workers at Mexico border auto parts plant oust powerful union, eying ripple effect
9-Mar-2022 Reuters
Mexican factory Tridonex came under US scrutiny last year after US unions pushed for a labour complaint under the USMCA trade deal, saying workers had been blocked from choosing their union.
Groups, mayors oppose RCEP trade agreement
24-Jan-2022 Inquirer Net
Over 60 groups of farmers, fishers, workers, civil society organizations and 186 mayors oppose the Senate’s concurrence to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement.
Fears UK-India trade deal could undermine sweatshops fight
20-Jan-2022 Politico
A UK agreement with India, the negotiations for which begin this week, could worsen conditions in the clothing sweatshops of South Asian neighbors, according to labor rights campaigners and a major industry group.
Australia free trade deal with UK denounced by unions as ‘anti-worker’
17-Dec-2021 The Guardian
The agreement makes it easier for citizens to work in each country and removes the need for labour market testing.
Investment governance in Africa to support climate resilience and decarbonization
13-Dec-2021 Afronomics Law
African nations should not be expected to take the lead in addressing a climate emergency they did not create. The priority for Africa is to receive support and investment to build resilience and adapt to climate impacts.
India-EU free trade talks hit slow lane over labour, environment, investment issues
10-Dec-2021 BusinessLine
There is no clarity now over when formal negotiations on the proposed India-EU trade pact would begin.
India wary as US drags labour issues into trade talks
2-Dec-2021 The Hindu BusinessLine
Labour issues may emerge as a tricky area for India in its efforts to further trade ties with the US as the Biden government is keen to make “worker-centric” matters part of the bilateral trade discussions.
UK trade talks risk ‘lending legitimacy’ to Brazil’s far-right regime, TUC claims
18-Nov-2021 The Independent
British ministers should not pursue a trade deal with the major economy while Jair Bolsonaro is in charge, trade union boss, Frances O’Grady, said.
TUC schools trade union leaders on AfCFTA
5-Nov-2021 Modern Ghana
The Trades Union Congress, Ghana, in partnership with the International Trade Union Africa has organized a capacity building training on the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement for Trade Union Leaders in the country.
Africa’s economic trade-off
2-Nov-2021 IPS
Africa’s new free trade area could transform the continent’s economy. But without strong social protections, it may result in more precarious work.
UGTT to hold workshop on prospects and challenges of trade union action under AfCFTA
27-Oct-2021 African Manager
The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) is organising a workshop on “the prospects and challenges of trade union action under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Opportunities and risks.»
Dan Tehan opens door to British workers to fill pandemic hole
18-Oct-2021 The Sydney Morning Herald
A new free-trade agreement between Canberra and London, due to be finalised within days, will make it easier for people to live and work in both countries.