Question

Explain the key principles of the labor and environmental side agreements to the NAFTA. Were they...

Explain the key principles of the labor and environmental side agreements to the NAFTA. Were they necessary? Why might these be controversial?

0 0
Add a comment Improve this question Transcribed image text
Answer #1

Answer:

Labour side agreement is known as the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation (NAALC).

Key principles of NAALC:

  1. Labours have the freedom of association and the right to organise.
  2. Labours have the right to bargain collectively
  3. Labours have right to strike
  4. Forced labour has been prohibited
  5. Employment standards related to overtime pay has been redefined
  6. Employment discrimination has been totally eliminated
  7. There would be equality in the payment irrespective of gender.
  8. Labours would be provided with compensation in case of injuries and illness.
  9. Migrant workers would be protected under the specific law
  10. Children are not allowed to work and labour protection for young adults were formulated
  11. Minimum employment standards for minimum wages has been formulated
  12. Health and hazard laws were formulated and their strict enforcement has been ensured.

NAALC has ensured that any Mexican civil society group can make a complaint about non-compliance to the NAALC principles to the department of labour in Canada or to the department of labour in the United States. The problem with the principles of NAALC is that only few number of labour rights have been strictly enforceable while businesses have been seen to practise the non compliance to other NAALC principles. Among the 12 labour principles that are being mentioned in the NAALC agreement, only three of them result in to the potential suspension sanctions for businesses. These principles include protection for children and young persons; minimum employment standards; and prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses.

Environment side agreement is known as the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC).

Key principles of NAAEC:

  1. Promote the protection and improvement of the environment of the territories belonging to parties for well being of the generations to come.
  2. Promote sustainable development in terms of supportive environmental and economic policies
  3. Promote cooperation among the parties for conserving, protecting and enhancing the environment
  4. Supporting environmental goals of NAFTA
  5. Avoiding trade distortions and new trade barriers
  6. Cooperation of the parties for following the laws and regulations associated with the development and improvement of the environment
  7. Enhancing compliance and enforcement of environment laws and regulations
  8. Promoting transparency and public participation in the development of environmental laws
  9. Promoting economically efficient and effective measures of the environment
  10. Formulation of the policies and practices to promote pollution prevention

In the case of the environmental side agreement, opportunities for civil society were altogether different. Under NAAEC, Mexican civil society was limited for taking complaints to another member state. Instead, they were asked to go to a trilateral commission known as the Commission on Environmental Cooperation for resolving their issues associated with the principles of NAAEC. This commission was delegated with the power to investigate for the fact-finding reports about the complaints and publish them by taking approval of the member states.

Add a comment
Know the answer?
Add Answer to:
Explain the key principles of the labor and environmental side agreements to the NAFTA. Were they...
Your Answer:

Post as a guest

Your Name:

What's your source?

Earn Coins

Coins can be redeemed for fabulous gifts.

Not the answer you're looking for? Ask your own homework help question. Our experts will answer your question WITHIN MINUTES for Free.
Similar Homework Help Questions
ADVERTISEMENT
Free Homework Help App
Download From Google Play
Scan Your Homework
to Get Instant Free Answers
Need Online Homework Help?
Ask a Question
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 3 hours.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT