ABSTRACT

The debate over linkage between trade and other policy concerns such as human rights and the environment has been intensifying. The last few years have seen at least three important developments. On 18 June 1998 the International Labour Organisation, a body with over 170 State members, adopted its Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in which core labour standards applicable throughout the World were recognised.1 On 12 October 1998 the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization issued its decision in the Turtle Shrimp complaint made against the United States.2 Though the US trade measures (which dealt with turtle conservation) were held to be inconsistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, the Appellate Body’s decision left open the possibility that conservation measures backed by trade sanctions could satisfy the requirements of Article XX of GATT 1994. Finally in late 1999, in the acrimony surrounding the unsuccessful WTO negotiations in Seattle, the US made clear its intentions to push for the consideration of core labour standards by the WTO.3