Rep. Levin Says Renegotiated NAFTA Should Include International Labor Principles
A renegotiated NAFTA should include enforceable provisions covering fundamental labor rights outlined in the 1998 International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, Rep. Sandy Levin, D-Mich., said in an opinion piece for The Hill (here). The “May 10 Agreement” written by House Democrats and agreed to by former President George W. Bush sets forth that parties in U.S. trade agreements should recognize the ILO Declaration’s fundamental rights, which are freedom of association, collective bargaining rights, elimination of forced and child labor, and elimination of employment and occupational discrimination. Levin pushed for the Trans-Pacific Partnership to adopt the terms of the May 10 Agreement (see 1503190001).
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“Unfortunately, when asked about their commitment to May 10, Trump administration officials raise the specter of ‘sovereignty’ and how it might be difficult to get another country to change its labor laws,” Levin wrote. Collective bargaining would allow Mexican workers to gain better wages, thereby preventing U.S. companies from relocating south of the border, Levin said. The U.S. should insist that Mexico “immediately” dismantle its labor regime and rebuild it, all of which should happen before Congress considers legislation implementing the renegotiated NAFTA, Levin wrote. The White House didn't comment.