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BackWe would like to point out once again that the AK is very critical of bilateral free trade agreements, as the benefit of such agreements for workers is not evident. We are against negotiations at bilateral level in particular with respect to investments, public procurement and services. Furthermore, the AK regards a comprehensive sustainability chapter as an essential part of a free trade agreement with India. This must include compliance with the eight ILO Core Labour Standards as well as the application of the general dispute resolution procedures.
The EU demands in the Free Trade Agreement with India that the subject matters ‘Services’ and ‘Investments’ are negotiated in a joint chapter. That way, the comprehensive liberalisation provisions from the “mode 3” sector would also apply to the primary and secondary sector. India has to draw up a list of obligations, which will apply to both services and investments. This new “combined format” presents the governments with even greater challenges, which increases the probability that legal mistakes will be made when the list is prepared. This will further make the aim to protect public interests at national, regional and local level through adequate regulations even more difficult.
