This book examines the labour standards provisions in a number of Regional and Bilateral Trade Agreements, and assesses the potential of using the relevant clauses in these trade agreements as a benchmark for a multilateral approach. Based on the lessons learned from the Regional model, the book proposes a Global Labour and Trade Framework Agreement (GLTFA) combined with a joint ILO/WTO enforcement mechanism to resolve the contentious issue of the link between the CLS and international trade.
1. Introduction.- 2. The Global Debate - The Linkage Between Labour Standards and International Trade.- 3. The History of Core Labour Standards.- 4. Legal Analysis: CLS, International Law and the Process and Production Method Argument.- 5. Unilateral Social Clauses.- 6. Regional Trade Agreements and the Interface between Labour Standards and International Trade.- 7. Regional Trade Agreements and Labour Provisions.- 8. The Impact of Regional Trade Agreements on the Labour-Trade Debate.- 9. Conclusion and Recommendations.