The Development Trend of Labor Standards and China’s Participation into the Reconstruction of Labor Standards in International Trade Agreements
It is an inevitable trend for labor standards to be incorporated into the global trade rules. There are four stages for the evolution process of the development of international labor standards and trade. The initial stage of the development of international labor standards was from 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century; the generation and independent development stage of core labor standards was from the beginning of the 20th century to the 1980s; the third development stage of international labor standards was from the 1980s to the end of the 20th; since the 21st century, the development of international labor standards has entered its fourth stage. The American model shows its high labor standards by virtue of hard means, while the EU model promotes its broad labor standards by virtue of soft means. The developing countries have formed the "ASEAN Model" with their own characteristics for the purpose of responding to the labor standards and trade development. China shall take adequate countermeasures for issues of labor standards linked to international trade agreements in the implementation process of global free trade zone strategies and the "Belt and Road Initiative" strategy. Meanwhile, China shall also pay close attention to and actively respond to the progress of labor standards in the international trade agreements, and enhance the cooperation with developing countries and International Labour Organization (ILO).
Purpose
On the basis of improving the domestic labor legislation and enforcement mechanism, China shall also raise the right of speech in the international labor standards, explore a Chinese model for incorporating labor standards into trade agreements, and promote the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to establish the labor standards which represent the interests of developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The present paper mainly adopts the method of comparative analysis, attempts to analyze the historical evolution of labor standards in the international trade agreements and its different development stages, compares the incorporation models of labor standards in American and EU FTA texts, analyze the different paths to link its trade to labor standards, and chooses the ASEAN Model and characteristics of developing countries to provide inspiration and reference for China to promote its global development strategy for free trade zones.
Findings
Concerning on whether or how labor standards shall be incorporated in international trade agreements, developed countries and developing countries have consistently expressed different positions. Trade disputes over China's labor standards have frequently arisen in recent years. The issue of labor standards is becoming a potential cause of trade friction and disputes between China and developed countries.
Research limitations/implications
The impact of the changing labor standards in international economic agreements on China's labor relations is potential, complex and diverse. The urgency of amending and improving the labor law and foreign trade rules is highlighted, the legal obligations and social responsibilities of enterprises will be strengthened, and the nature and handling methods of labor disputes will also change.
Originality/value
China shall take adequate countermeasures for issues of labor standards linked to international trade agreements in the implementation process of global free trade zone strategies and the "Belt and Road Initiative" strategy.
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