The negotiations between ASEAN, New Zealand, and Australia for a Free Trade Agreement concluded at the ASEAN Economics Ministers Meeting on Closer Economic Relations in August 2008. The agreement was signed at the East Asia Summit in February 2009.
ASEAN is comprised of Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, the Phillipines, Brunei, Laos, and Vietnam. The text of the agreement is yet to be released so the full range of commitments are currently unknown.
The impacts that such an agreement will have on labour rights, human rights and the environment is yet to be assessed by any government. In many ASEAN countries child labour still exists, there are reports of forced labour, and discrimination in the workplace. Export led production is having a disasterous impact on the environment with the Mekong river system under stress from industry and over logging of tropical forests destroying carbon sinks.
The inclusion of Burma in the agreement amplifies AFTINET's concerns about the need to ensure that our trading practices strengthen human rights commitments, not undermine them.
For more information see AFTINET's submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (2009) and the Asia Trade Taskforce (2005).
Visit the Australian Government website to see the full text of the agreement.
