Eliminating force labor was the main focus of the first leaders' meeting of the trilateral Trade and Labor Dialogue between the United States and the European Union.
Corporate and labor representatives from the U.S. and EU discussed how the labor unions, businesses and governments could work together to identity, prevent and address forced labor at all supply chain levels, according to Dec. 5 U.S. Department of Labor news release.
“Our policies must address the challenges today’s workers face throughout the global economy,” Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee said in the release. “These challenges include eliminating forced labor in our global supply chains and ensuring the rights of workers in the growing digital economy are protected. Working with our U.S. and EU partners, we hope to realize our shared goals for inclusive trade and economic development with strong support for international labor rights.”
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative joined the DOL and EU at the inaugural meeting, according to the release.
“Our partnership with the European Union, and our collaboration with transatlantic labor unions and business leaders, is critical to advancing our work to make trade a force for good and transform the way we treat workers – not just in the United States – but across the world,” U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai said in the release.
