Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the EU and Canada have agreed to a common sustainable development framework establishing a set of rules for labour and the environment. CETA commits the EU and Canada to ensuring that their laws and policies provide and encourage high levels of labour protection. It further commits both parties to continue improving such laws and policies.

CETA reinforces the parties' commitments to international labour standards, including the International Labour Organisation, ILO, core labour standards, other labour rights, such as health and safety at work, and the ratification and implementation of the fundamental ILO conventions. CETA also includes a commitment on the part of all governments to ensure that there is no relaxation of labour rights in efforts to promote trade or attract investment.

The agreement provides for the establishment of civil society advisory groups that may submit opinions or make recommendations on labour-related concerns. CETA will further encourage intergovernmental co-operation on labour-related issues and in international forums.

The labour provisions in CETA are enforceable through the dedicated dispute settlement mechanism in chapter 23 of the agreement, including review by the independent panel of experts, and a high degree of transparency and monitoring.

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