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THE PARLIAMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE SOCIAL CLAUSE
(ICDA Update 1996)
- the ILO, although the diector-general Hansenne does not believe the ILO is ready for such a clause
- the WTO, where Sir Leon Brittan's statements on the subject evoked a general outcry in Asian countries
- within the Generalised System of Preferences, an existing and more promising approach, as anti-slavery proceedings against Burma and Pakistan are in progress, moreover special measures granting additional preferences to those countries respecting certain social standards will be introduced. The social clause in the EU GSP is already in existence but has not been fully applied yet
- drawing up a code of conduct for European multinationals, possibly including the establishment of an antislavery label. The European Union Commission does not seem to be opposed to this
The report of the REX Committee therefore calls for the following points:
- human rights at the workplace - an integral part of the human rights clause, should be included in the preambie to international agreements
- a social clause will be slow in becoming accepted, especially in Asia
- work in the GSP is to be continued
- the Parliament should pressure the Commission to bring this to debate at the WTO
- a code of conduct for European TNCs should be formulated
- an appropriate legal basis should be established in the workplace, allowing for suspension of trade agreements if such rights are violated.
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