Status

·               In parallel with the Thailand Closer Economic Partnership negotiations New Zealand and Thailand have negotiated Arrangements on Labour and Environment. 

·               It is expected that the Arrangements will be signed at the same time as the CEP Agreement in 2005.

·               The full text of the Arrangements will be released along with the text of the CEP Agreement. 

·               This bulletin provides a broad outline of how the Arrangements will work.  

Objectives  

The Arrangements are aimed at promoting sound labour policies and practices and conserving and enhancing environmental quality through cooperation and dialogue.

Key

Undertakings

In support of these objectives, New Zealand and Thailand will:

·               work actively to ensure that their labour and environmental laws, regulations, policies and practices are in ha[Mgh1] rmony with relevant international obligations.

·               not seek to gain trade or investment advantage by weakening or derogating from their labour or environmental laws and regulations.

·               not use their labour or environment laws, regulations, policies and practices for trade protectionist purposes.

·               promote public awareness of their labour and environmental laws, regulations, policies and practices domestically and ensure their processes for the operation and enforcement of their labour laws are fair, equitable and transparent.

How the Arrangements will work?

·               Cooperative activities will play an important role in the operation of the Arrangements.

·               Labour and Environment officials committees will be responsible for the cooperation activities and implementing other elements of the Arrangements.

·               A process for problem resolution is established based on consultation through the Labour and Environment Committees and at Ministerial level, if necessary.

Public Participation

·               The Labour and Environment Committees may consult, seek the advice or invite the attendance of the non-government sectors or relevant experts at their meetings. 

·               Members of the public and non-government sectors may submit views or advice on matters relating to the operation of the Arrangements.

Contact Details

If you would like further information, please contact:

Gill Wratt

Senior Operator

Sustainable Development

Ministry for the Environment

PO Box 10362

Wellington      

New Zealand

Tel:  04 9177517

Fax:  04 9177521

Michael Hobby

Senior Advisor

International Services

Department of Labour

PO Box 3705

Wellington

Tel: 04 915 4092

Fax: 04 471 0012

Rowena Hume

Policy Advisor

Trade Negotiations Division

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Private Bag 18901

Wellington

Tel: 04 439 8421

Fax: 04 439 8522

Email: tnd@mfat.govt.nz