Forced Labor Inclusion in Fisheries Negotiations at WTO Controversial
A summary of negotiations at the World Trade Organization on how to curb overfishing said that some countries are supporting the U.S. proposal to require countries to submit information on any vessels that are using forced labor. However, other countries "reiterated that the WTO is not the appropriate forum for labor issues," according to the summary, which was provided by a Geneva trade official.
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The summary said that negotiations on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing were not so promising, as some countries are withdrawing their support for proposed compromises in the draft text.
Reaching an agreement this year at the WTO on overfishing is seen as crucial to the body's credibility and relevance. Negotiations will resume Oct. 11.