Posted: Tuesday, 3 November 2009

There is little evidence that labour side deals in trade agreements can become vehicles for the enforcement of labour rights.

In the 15 years since the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation – the labour side deal to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – was signed, not one claim of labour rights violations in Canada, the United States or Mexico has proceeded to an arbitration panel or sanctions.

The CLC has examined the next generation side deal texts for bilateral trade deals with Colombia, Peru and Panama and concluded they do not provide enforceable rights for workers in any of the countries affected.

Read the Statement on Labour Side Deals, (html) passed at the CLC’s Executive Council meeting, October 2009.