Peru Trade Promotion Agreement: Labor Issues

Abstract:

On April 12, 2006, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Alfredo Ferrero Diez Canseco signed the proposed U.S.Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA). The labor chapter of the PTPA is part of the core text of the agreement and includes specific obligations on domestic labor law enforcement and a labor cooperation and capacity building mechanism. Supporters argue that Peru has ratified all eight International Labor Organization (ILO) core labor standards and that the PTPA would reinforce Peru's labor reform measures of recent years. Critics would like to see the PTPA include enforceable ILO labor standards, and they argue that Peru has failed to comply with U.S. internationally recognized worker rights and ILO standards. The 110th Congress may consider implementing legislation for the agreement. This report will be updated as events warrant.