ALI/GlobalWorks Convenes a Discussion on Developing a Worker-Centric Trade Policy

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July 15 worker centric program.PNG

Attendees:

  • Congressman Earl Blumenauer

  • Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett

ALI and Global Works Foundation hosted a program discussing the “Elements of a Worker-Centric Trade Policy,” with Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Stacey Plaskett, as well as thought leaders from organized labor, business and civil society. The group explored the meaning of a worker-centric trade policy and how to ensure that benefits of trade flow to both domestic and foreign workers.  Worker centric trade policies should apply to foreign workers as well as U.S. workers, and trade agreements need to provide more robust capacity building support to developing or middle-income countries to raise their labor standards (as was done with USMCA). This support should be coordinated with development assistance for maximum value.

USMCA’s rapid labor enforcement mechanism was touted, included the swift solution to one of the early cases although it was agreed that it is early to determine its efficacy. Attendees complimented the positive approach by the Administration, in terms of greater engagement with the labor community and other key stakeholders and examining trade policy from gender and racial equity lenses to ensure that benefits of trade are distributed equally.

The members discussed their new Trade Adjustment Assistance bill (TAA) which expands coverage to include all workers and farmers who lose their jobs due to trade, assistance for communities hurt by trade, and other benefits such as child care allowances.

A labor representative stressed that many of the problems faced by workers are broader than trade and companies should do more on a range of standards related to ethical business practices, including managing supply chains, and that trade agreements should can advance UN, OECD standards.