India-Australia Trade Deal Faces Scrutiny Over Labor Standards

 

An Australian parliamentary committee has raised concerns regarding the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), citing issues related to labor standards in India. The committee's report highlights that the trade deal, signed in 2022, may conflict with Australia's policy priorities by potentially increasing imports of goods produced under conditions involving child labor and lower environmental and labor standards. The report recommends that future trade agreements include enforceable labor rights provisions aligned with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions to ensure ethical trade practices. These concerns may influence ongoing negotiations aimed at expanding the interim trade deal into a more comprehensive pact.