The New Zealand government is looking to negotiate a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates. Given the evidence of significant and ongoing labour rights abuses in the UAE, and the UAE’s lack of commitment to ratifying and enforcing core international labour standards, the CTU does not believe New Zealand should seek a preferential trade agreement with that country. Potential trading partners should demonstrate adherence to internationally recognised labour rights and standards beforeNew Zealand enters into negotiations with them.
If the government does decide to open negotiations with the UAE, then it is critical that any resulting Agreement contains binding and enforceable labour provisions that commit the UAE to materially improving its labour protections and their enforcement. The labour provisions should set out specific and binding steps towards the realisation of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.
This submission outlines the CTU’s concerns regarding labour rights abuses in the UAE and the labour provisions the CTU would want to see in any Agreement with the UAE, should the government decide to open negotiations.