This submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade identifies aspects of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) that need to be addressed as part of the General Review of the Agreement. The CPTPP has been referred to as a “leading trade agreement”, yet it lacks a binding and enforceable Labour Chapter.
The provisions relating to minimum labour rights and standards are non-binding; the minimum labour standards that are covered are a limited subset of the most important minimum standards; the Labour Chapter is largely unenforceable in practice; and civil society actors such as trade unions have little scope to ensure that Parties to the Agreement are meeting their obligations.
This submission outlines the improvements the NZCTU would like to see made to the Labour Chapter as part of the General Review. It covers issues regarding the internationally recognised labour rights that frame the Agreement, non-derogation provisions, enforcement of labour laws, modern slavery, migrant labour, and gender equality.