What social face of the new EU trade agreements? Beyond the ‘soft’ approach

The EU has often been accused of soft approach to trade-labour linkages in trade agreement by the inclusion of labour provisions in the trade and sustainable development chapter and by a focus on cooperation and dialogue. Rather than focusing on hard enforcement proceeding, the EU is not yet exploring all the opportunities created under these chapters.

This Policy Brief outlines a different approach that the EU can use in demanding respect for labour rights in its trade agreement with third countries. It shows the need to develop a thorough, systematic and inclusive monitoring process involving civil society while developing an holistic approach for the promotion of labour rights going beyond EU’s trade relations.