Labor Declaration on the Negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement

On March 15, 2010, the governments of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States of America and Vietnam will commence negotiations for a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement (TPPTA). The undersigned unions are not opposed in principle to trade agreements. As always, however, the agreement will not have our support unless it is well balanced, foments the creation of good jobs, protects the rights and interests of working people, leads to long-term, balanced economic development and promotes a healthy environment. We set out below what that means in practice. Throughout the negotiations, we urge negotiators to adopt a jobs lens, which asks how decisions at the negotiating table contribute to a coordinated strategy for the promotion of high-quality jobs and sustainable economic development among TPPTA member countries. It is time for a new trade framework that will make a positive difference in the lives of working people. We cannot afford another trade agreement that privileges substantial new opportunities for investors over good jobs for workers. Further, to work well, trade agreements must also be fairly and consistently enforced.

This declaration outlines the substantive and procedural principles for the negotiations, which if respected, will result in an agreement that may benefit us all.