The Guide to the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods identifies areas of caution and opportunities for trade unions to inform their advocacy and campaigning work as representatives of workers in Africa.
Trade unions need to recognise the various ways in which the AfCFTA negotiating process is likely to overlap with regional customs unions and existing regional free trade agreements.
Here are some suggestions for ensuring that our trade agreements reflect decent work, a crucial aspect of development that will deliver pro-social trade outcomes.
These annexures to the AfCFTA Protocol on Goods have labour and employment implications and are critical for trade unions seeking the inclusion of labour provisions.
The ongoing negotiations to adopt additional protocols to the AfCFTA during Phase III provide an opportunity to negotiate a specific protocol on women in trade in Africa.
The Protocol on Trade in Goods has no labour provisions, which is of concern to trade unions given the direct link between labour and the production and trade of goods and the impact of trade liberalisation on workers.
