Purpose

2

This article aims to recount the key legal obligations provided in The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Labour Chapter

particularly the most extraordinary development of labor obligations in trade treaties.

Design/Methodology/Approach

2

This article adopts a descriptive approach

trying to capture the structure and contents of the TPP Labour Chapter. However

this article also resort to analytical methodology

clarifying the key concepts and languages used in the TPP Labour Chapter.

Findings

2

Regarding substantive obligations

the basic structure of the TPP Labour Chapter has two layers (legislative and implementation obligations)

following other trade treaties. But there are innovations. First

the United States made Side Agreements with three developing members

requiring them to have very specific plans to raise domestic labour standards and to implement and enforce them. Second

the TPP requires Parties to discourage international trade involving products produced by forced labour. Regarding dispute resolution and enforcement

the TPP Labour Chapter becomes more litigation and sanction oriented

and gives the United States unilateral power to make binding determinations.

Research limitations/implications

2

the TPP Labour Chapter is not effective

so the practical value is not clear

but it may affect China in the future since the United States has shown interests of reviving the TPP.

Originality/value

2

This article has not only systematically recounted the structure and contents of the TPP Labour Chapter

but also demonstrated the clear pattern of the development of labor obligations in trade treaties.