Tackling Modern Slavery Trade Negotiations 2023-02-09
2023-02-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK prioritises trade deals with the Gulf Cooperation Council, despite concerns about modern slavery.
What steps her Department is taking through trade negotiations to help tackle modern slavery in global supply chains. The UK has named the Gulf Cooperation Council as one of its priorities for trade deals and has begun negotiations. Economies across the GCC are built on the kafala system, enabling coercion and debt bondage. How can the Government justify such talks given these human rights concerns?
The UK remains committed to upholding workers' rights globally, including through free trade agreements. The UK will retain its high standards and protections, including labour regulations, in the GCC FTA discussions. We advocate for maintaining high labour standards and seek assurances that labour rights are not compromised.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific mechanisms to address modern slavery concerns in the kafala system were not detailed.
Protecting Uk Workers' Rights Remains A Priority For This Government
We Will Retain High Standards And Protections, Including The Right To Regulate Labour
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK prioritises trade deals with the Gulf Cooperation Council, despite concerns about modern slavery.
I thank the Minister for his answer, but the UK has named the Gulf Cooperation Council as one of its priorities for trade deals and has begun negotiations. We know that the economies across the Gulf are built on the terrible kafala system, enabling coercion and debt bondage and facilitating modern slavery. How can the Government justify such talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council given those basic human rights concerns?
Protecting UK workers' rights remains a priority for this Government. The UK will continue to meet its obligations under the International Labour Organisation and advocate for high labour standards globally, including in free trade agreements. In the GCC FTA, we will retain our high standards and protections, seek assurances that labour rights are not reduced, and have frank conversations on these issues.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific measures to address the kafala system were not detailed.
Protecting Uk Workers' Rights Remains A Priority For This Government
We Will Retain High Standards And Protections, Including The Right To Regulate Labour
Response accuracy