11.   ASEAN firmly opposes non-tariff issues such as human rights and labour standards being linked to trade, they said.

12.   Britain held out alone against any link being made between labour standards and trade at Singapore, preventing any conclusions being reached on the issue.

13.   But as of late Sunday, diplomats said there would be no direct reference to labour standards in the final ministerial declaration.

14.   Calpers said Thursday it would withdraw from Malaysia along with Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand due to factors such as poor transparency, labour standards and human rights.

15.   Charlene Barshefsky, acting US trade representative, said Washington had achieved its objective to have core labour standards referred to in the communique.

16.   Calpers said Thursday it would withdraw from Malaysia along with Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand due to factors such as poor transparency, labour standards and human rights.

17.   Calpers cited factors including poor financial and legal transparency, labour standards and human rights.

18.   Core labour standards include the right to set up trade unions and to negotiate with employers, the elimination of child and slave labour and no discrimination in employment.

19.   Core labour standards include freedom of association and collective bargaining, non-discrimination at the work place and the prohibition of child and prison labour and slavery.

20.   Developing countries stridently oppose attempts by advanced nations to introduce universal labour standards, a move they believe would erode the competitive edge derived from cheap labour.