Social Clause in WTO and Core ILO Labour Standards: Concerns of India and Other Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper addresses the concerns linking trade with WTO and its effect on developing countries and the ILO core labour standard conventions and India's adherence to these core conventions. The whole study is divided into four sections in which the first one gives an introduction to the subject and an overview of the issue of social clause in WTO and core labour standards. The second part will discuss the core labour standard conventions of the ILO. The third section gives Indian adherence to the core standards and an overview of the Indian labour legislations dealing with the issue. The concluding part attempts to make some suggestions for the policy makers of the Government of India and all stakeholders for better understanding on the subject. This paper will argue that any attempt to link labour standards with the WTO is objectionable and it is not the right forum to deal this issue. On the other hand this paper will argue for ratification of the core labour standard conventions of the ILO by the Government of India.