Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Labour

   

   

• Through international labour cooperation agreements (LCAs), Canada promotes improved living standards and working conditions, and workers’ rights abroad. Canada has signed agreements with Mexico, the United States, Chile and Costa Rica.
     
     
   
• These agreements build upon Canada’s commitment to fundamental human rights, in particular the principles and rights set out by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in its Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. These fundamental principles include: freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labour and child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in employment. The Declaration is important not only because of its wide acceptance by both business and labour, but also because it explicitly defines, based on a global consensus, the most fundamental labour rights.
     
     
   
• A key element to improved living and working conditions is the promotion of core labour standards. One of the principal objectives of LCAs is the effective enforcement of labour legislation in all countries.
     
     
   
• Partnership and cooperation are important to the success of these agreements and cooperative activities allow countries to share information and best practices in such areas as industrial relations, occupational health and safety, labour standards, and employment and pay equity.
     
     

These agreements also allow Canada t

   

   

• Support an international development strategy based on equitable economic growth, good governance, and the rule of law. The rule of law, as well as transparent and effective enforcement of labour legislation, supports business and commercial development and more equitable income distribution.
     
     
   
• Build upon our commitment to fundamental human rights, in particular the principles and rights set out by the ILO in its Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
     
     
   
• Support a broad-based approach to trade and economic integration that takes into account and promotes the well-being and rights of workers.
     
     
   
• Protect Canada’s economic interests by seeking to ensure that legitimate government policies and actions to balance the interests of workers and employers do not become a disadvantage in competition for international trade and investment.
  
     

January 2005