Labor Clauses in Trade Agreements: worker protection or protectionism?

Marcelo Olarreaga, Carrère, Céline and Damian Raess
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Celine Carrere

No 12251, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: We explore the impact on bilateral trade flows of the inclusion of a labor clause (LC) in Trade Agreements (TAs). Using a gravity type framework, we find that the introduction of LCs has on average no impact on bilateral trade flows. However, there is some interesting heterogeneity. Exports of low-income countries benefit from the introduction of LCs in North-South trade agreements. Interestingly, the impact is stronger when accompanied by deep cooperation. On the other hand, stronger enforcement mechanisms, at best, marginally reinforce the impact of LCs. The results are clearly inconsistent with the idea that LC are set for protectionist reasons, casting doubt on the reluctance by low-income countries to include labor clauses in their trade agreements.

Keywords: Labor clauses; Free trade agreements; Gravity equation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Working Paper: Labor Clauses in Trade Agreements: worker protection or protectionism? (2017)
Working Paper: Labor Clauses in Trade Agreements: worker protection or protectionism? (2017)
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