UK Trade Agreements Workers’ Rights 2022-04-21
2022-04-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The question arises from concerns over the maintenance of international labour standards within UK trade deals.
What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that workers' rights are maintained in all UK trade agreements?
Both agreements with Australia and New Zealand commit parties to maintain international labour standards.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The TUC was promised a seat on a trade advisory board in November 2020 but has yet to be offered this position, despite other stakeholders having seats.
Why do the Government have an issue with the TUC or any of our trade unions being seated at the negotiation table when they are important protectors of workers' rights?
The issue is that the unions have not taken up the seat they were offered, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has included dialogue with unions in our trade negotiations at every opportunity—most recently, with the work she has been doing to secure a US FTA—and we will continue to do that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The fact that the TUC was not offered a seat and has not taken up an offered seat
Dialogue With Unions In Our Trade Negotiations At Every Opportunity
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concerns over labour standards being addressed in the ongoing trade negotiations with India.
Has the issue of labour standards in supply chains been raised with India during the trade negotiations?
The hon. Member will know from the trade negotiations that we have concluded already, that this always forms a part of those negotiations through our discussions and consultations. I can get her chapter and verse on that and some details. It is not one of the FTAs I look after, but I can assure her that that is a core part of our negotiations.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The fact that the specific FTA falls outside Penny Mordaunt's responsibility
I Can Get Her Chapter And Verse On That And Some Details
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over the lack of enforcement mechanisms in a UK-Colombia trade agreement to protect workers' rights, with 22 assassinations of activists reported.
With 22 assassinations of activists in Colombia in the last two years, why does the UK's trade deal with Colombia have no clear enforcement mechanisms to protect the rights of workers or trade unionists?
I refer the hon. Member to some remarks on this issue that I made last year in Westminster Hall, where I took the time to list some of the activists—trade union activists, environmental activists—who have been brutally murdered. I listed those people on the Floor in Westminster Hall because it is important that we shine a spotlight on those issues.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No mention of learning from past failures or ensuring better mechanisms in future agreements
I Refer The Hon. Member To Some Remarks On This Issue That I Made Last Year In Westminster Hall
Response accuracy