| The title of this dissertation is “Analyzing the effect of labor standards in trade agreements on developing countries: Inspirations for Myanmar”.The objectives of this dissertation are as follows: to examine the advantages and disadvantages,differences and similarities of applying and practicing labor standards in bilateral and regional trade agreements;to know the impact of those labor provisions in trade agreements on laborers in developing countries;to study concept and country mechanism for promoting sustainable development in trade chapter.Trade agreements are negotiated among States,which are binding upon the parties,and,must comply in good faith with the provisions of the agreement.These agreements may include labor provisions but core labor standards are excluded from international dialogue in the trade sector.However,there is no clear concept regarding the effect of the inclusion of labor standards in trade agreements for developing countries.Thus,the relationship between trade and labor provisions is needed to study to promote labor rights in developing countries,especially in Myanmar.Therefore,this research argues that “there are positive or negative impacts on developing countries when labor provisions are included in trade agreements”.The mixed research method which by using the comparative approach as a qualitative research methodology is applied in this research and answered two research questions:(1)Is there any difference between inclusion or non-inclusion of labor provisions in trade agreements for developing countries?(2)Can the inclusion of labor standards in trade agreements protect and promote worker rights in developing countries,especially in Myanmar?Qualitative analyses use for identifying the required data for this research to meet the objectives and to answer the research questions of the dissertation.To know the inspirations for Myanmar,the qualitative research methodology is also applied and the main objective of using this method is to better understanding the impact of labor provisions in trade agreements in developing countries and the government supporting sustainable development in the trade chapter,especially in Myanmar.Therefore,detailed in-depth interview or wide range of analysis data are also conducted in this research.Literature review and text analysis were applied thoroughly and international labor standards in trade agreements,national labor laws,and trade laws are also used as primary data in this research.This research mainly finds that the inclusion of labor provisions in trade agreements give a positive effect on developing countries,however,state parties need to respect and enforce the labor standards not only for the protection of labor rights but also for receiving benefits through the trade agreements.Therefore,this research also recommends that either developed or developing countries should initiate and negotiate dialogue to include social clauses as positive agendas in their current and future trade agreements.For a win-win situation,Myanmar or other developing countries should discuss and negotiate to revise their current trade agreements to include labor standards.They also should strengthen national labor laws and regulations for the protection of labor rights in compliance with trade agreements to attract trade partners for getting beneficiaries and not imposing trade or economic sanctions. |
