European Commission Directorate-General for Trade

Labour

The EU is committed to ensuring that the jobs created by open trade reflect minimum international standards of decent and dignified work and help foster long-term sustainable development and competitiveness. The EU's own experience shows that high labour standards that promote quality working conditions support economic development and increase competitiveness. The EU is firmly committed to promoting core labour standards and decent work for all in its trade policy, and routinely includes cooperation initiatives and incentives to better working conditions in the trade agreements it negotiates.

Core labour standards such as non-discrimination in employment and equal opportunities for men and women are guaranteed by EU law. Freedom of association and collective bargaining are enshrined in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. Although the EU does not expect developing countries to match its own high labour standards, it does not tolerate labour practices in its trading partners that fall below international norms.

The International Labour Organisation

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role internationally by building consensus around core labour standards and by promoting and supporting the effective implementation of these standards. The EU works closely with the ILO to integrate labour considerations into its trade policy and to support these ILO efforts. The Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation that was adopted by the ILO in July 2008 promotes decent work for all in a globalising world and helps strengthen the ILO's capacity to assist its members.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Companies can contribute to sustainable development by managing their operations in a way contributes to economic growth, increases competitiveness but also promotes quality conditions for workers and high levels of environmental protection. The EU believes that voluntary social and environmental commitments that go beyond companies' legal obligations can complement and support government action for sustainable development and the promotion of core labour standards.

Sustainability impact assessments in EU trade agreements

For general information about sustainability impact assessments, see Sustainability impact assessments

The EU's draft trade agreements with other countries and regions are carefully examined for their potential effects on social development, including labour standards. These sustainability impact assessments (SIAs) are undertaken for every EU trade negotiation. By informing negotiators of the possible effects, the research can help policymakers and trade negotiators to integrate sustainability into trade policy more effectively.