House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Tackling Modern Slavery: Trade Negotiations

Thursday 9 February 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

Kate Osamor questioned the Department on steps taken to tackle modern slavery through trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The UK remains committed to upholding workers' rights globally, including through free trade agreements with the GCC.
The UK will advocate for maintaining high labour standards and seek assurances regarding labour protections in the GCC FTA discussions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill

Migrants & Borders Employment Business & Trade

Context

The UK prioritises trade deals with the Gulf Cooperation Council, despite concerns about modern slavery.

Question

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?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific mechanisms to address modern slavery concerns in the kafala system were not detailed.

How: Protecting Uk Workers' Rights Remains A Priority For This Government, We Will Retain High Standards And Protections, Including The Right To Regulate Labour

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Q2 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill

Employment Brexit Business & Trade

Context

The UK prioritises trade deals with the Gulf Cooperation Council, despite concerns about modern slavery.

Question

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?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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.