Number: 97-861
Title: NAFTA Labor Side Agreement: Lessons for the Worker Rights and Fast-Track Debate
Authors: Mary Jane Bolle, Economics Division 
Abstract: Trade liberalization ultimately results in gains to all economies; however, there are winners and losers (both industries and workers) along the way. Worker rights provisions could mitigate the effects of trade liberalization on both groups somewhat by increasing labor costs in developing countries. However, the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC) as worker a worker rights promotion vehicle with a developing country has mitigated the effects of trade expansion from NAFTA very little so far, because most compliance is voluntary.
Pages: 35
Date: Updated June 11, 2002