1. The Labour Dimension of Regional Integration and Free Trade Agreements in the Americas. An Update.Second Working Groups Meeting in the framework of the XIII IACMLBuenos AiresApril 11-13, 2005

2. This document • Updates the findings of the study presented in Bahia under the title “The Labour Dimension of the Regional Integration and Free Trade Agreements in the Americas “ • After two years, as the World Commission on Globalization points out, the importance of this process is still recognized. • Moreover, integration processes continue, and new FTAs are being signed.

3. Nevertheless, • The technical debate continues on the labour dimension as relevant either to labour law or to work and productive progress as such. • The pending problem continues to lie with enforcing the rights by means of national law and improving the space for participation in the negotiation process involving the social actors.

4. Conclusions • There have been no important changes in normative development concerning labour • Further development of domestic legislation is still needed • In many countries there persist serious limitations in compliance with existing rules and commitments, because of both non-compliance with the law and the presence of wide sectors of employment that are not covered by labour legislation

5. Conclusions • Application of the law presents problems. Weak labour administrations. • Far from distroying employment or depressing wages, integration enhances respect for fundamental rights. • There is a consensus on the need to neither promote nor accept spurious competitiveness based on failure to comply with the fundamental rights at work. • Social actors want to participate in the process • More TC is needed

6. Subregional Conclusions • CAN: 2004 commitment to eliminate child labour • CARICOM. New debates on labour administration • MERCOSUR employment forum • NAFTA discussions provide new opportunities • SICA continues work at presidential summit

7. Points to be kept in mind • There are few steps forward • LMs need strengthening • Some integration processes need to improve their legal references • Linkage among the social actors • More sharing of subregional experience and information is needed

8. Suggestions • National legislation needs improving • Enforcement mechanisms need improving • Social actors should play an active part • Technical cooperation should be improved and designed appropriately • SMBs should be included in the process • Employment generation