Labor & Employment Law

Join the Debate on Fair/Free Trade

By Tula Connell

Those of us in the union movement know pitting “free” trade against “fair” trade is a false dichotomy: Making trade agreements that ensure basic standards for workers and the environment?fair trade?does not exclude trade deals that open markets and move goods?”free” trade.

With that caveat in mind, we want to point out an opportunity to take part in a debate sponsored by the British publication, The Economist, which tackles the

tension between freedom and fairness and [tries] to resolve whether action on one front is more important, and what forms such action might take.  

The “Open for Debate” forum features two economists with arguments for/against fair trade and an opportunity to vote in the debate and add your view. In an oddly British twist, you can change your vote as many times as you wish, but you get only one vote. You’ll need to sign up, but it’s free. Comments are moderated.

Today, AFL-CIO chief economist Thea Lee is the first featured guest columnist in the debate and succinctly sums up the bottom line need for fair trade:

In a competitive global economy, individual corporations do what they are designed to do: maximize profits within the framework of rules they are given. Individual corporations should not be the sole arbiters of where to draw the line on child or forced labor or respect for freedom of association, if their host country does not impose or enforce such rules. And the governments of individual developing countries are understandably reluctant to impose such rules if their neighbours and competitors do not. Yet it is both morally repugnant and economically inefficient for global trade and investment patterns to be driven by competitive undermining of basic human rights and environmental responsibilities.

This is why international minimum standards for labour (reflecting the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work) and the environment (reflecting international environmental agreements and treaties) are needed to balance competing interests in the global economy.

Right now, the motion in support of fair trade is trailing that of unfettered, no-holds barred, forget-about-workers’-rights trade. Take a second to add your vote.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on May 05, 2010 (boomark / email).