In early December, representatives of both European Commission and Parliament reflected, within the scope of two major events, on the configuration and challenges of EU trade policy. However, there was nothing spectacularly new. What does this tell us? In order to strengthen a weighty voice for employment rights, it is necessary to continue putting pressure on the Commission!

Joint AK EUROPA, EPSU and ÖGB Europabüro Workshop, Brussels, 30 November 2017Presentation by Werner Raza and Bernhard Tröster

The growing digitalisation of the economy increasingly affects the trade with goods and services as well as data transfers beyond national borders. The European Parliament is now trying to find a path towards a digital trade strategy. However, from an employee's point of view, the protection of personal date or the establishment of employees’ rights must not be allowed to miss out! The strategy should at last also create options to tax digital companies both efficiently and uniformly.

The BAK is critical of the project for the following reasons: The draft negotiating mandate for the two trade agreements is not based on comprehensive impact assessments, nor on sustainability impact assessments. In addition, essential elements for the employeeorientedrealignment of trade policy are not taken into account.

The European Commission continues to pursue its trade agenda. Its latest venture is the opening of negotiations with Australia and New Zealand with regard to two new trade agreements. Even though for the time being, both agreements do not include an Investment Protection Chapter, there are however, numerous shortcomings. From the employees' point of view, the adherence as well as the expansion of labour, social and environmental standards should be stipulated. Only then, fair trade for all will become reality.

The strategy of the European Commission with regard to trade policy in recent years has been geared towards the bilateral finalisation of free trade agreements. It uses every opportunity to emphasise the economic benefits of these agreements. This finds its expression in discussions in the European Parliament, in its current work programme or in the dialogue with NGOs. Little attention though is paid to labour, social and environmental standards.

In its non-paper, the Commission evaluates existing TSD chapters and puts two options for their further development up for discussion. This opened an EU-wide discussion for the upcoming months. In our view, the elaboration of TSD chapters in free trade agreements (FTAs) currentlyunder negotiation should be put on hold until this process is concluded and a consensus is found on the design of future TSD chapters.

With its preliminary application, the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada enters the last round on 21 September. At the same time, discussions are going on in Brussels concerning the architecture of future agreements. This does not include a prioritisation of social and environmental standards or a major overhaul of the Investment Court Systems established in the agreements.

Once again, there is a lot to be reported from Brussels with regard to the trade policy sector. Civil society is networking at various meetings, the Commission is calling for dialogue and Parliament is not standing still either. Apart from the negotiations with Japan, the reason for this activity was the Paper on Sustainability Chapters (TSD), which shall put the current and future orientation up to discussion, which has been announced by the Commission. Unfortunately, it still fails to deliver.

The discussion in respect of the free trade agreements CETA and TTIP has one again put the focus on the issue concerning the responsibility for public services. With their liberalisation provisions, the proposals for CETA and TTIP go far beyond current free trade agreements. An international research project of the civil society Transnational Institute (TNI) has now, in cooperation with the Chamber of Labour, EPSU, PSIRU and other organisations, examined a view towards opposite processes, namely the return of public services from the private to the public sector.