The North American Agreement of Labor Cooperation: A tenuous link between trade and labour standards

This thesis is an investigation into the usefulness of the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC) in promoting labour standards for workers. The author analyzes the relationship between free trade and international labour standards and demonstrates that an intersection exists between the theoretical and practical aspects of these matters. The connection between these subjects points the way to advancing labour standards within free trade arrangements. A review of NAALC indicates serious weaknesses in the formal ability of the agreement to promote labour standards in the context of regional free trade. However, regardless of its formal defects, the labour side agreement does have the potential to enhance labour standards within its free trade zone. Despite the serious flaws of the agreement, the NAALC has the potential to deliver concrete improvements for workers and improve labour standards reform in North America.