71. Commerce Secretary Tejendra Khanna said earlier that India will accept a reference to labor standards in the final declaration on two conditions. 72. Controversy over labor standards had deadlocked the WTO over the last four days. 73. Developing countries criticize labor standards. 74. Discussions of labor standards were begun at the International Labor Organization last November and resumed Friday. 75. Discussions on labor standards were begun at the International Labor Organization last November and resumed Friday. 76. Downer said plans to use the WTO to protect labor standards could hinder free trade reform. 77. Developing countries oppose making labor standards a part of the WTO, fearing rich nations will use it to block cheap imports from Asia and other poorer regions. 78. During pre-summit meetings this week, business and labor leaders worried that U.S. and Canadian trade unions will push for stringent labor standards that Andean countries cannot meet. 79. European Union and U.S. officials pledged Friday to encourage more corporate agreements on minimum labor standards. 80. Fifteen European countries are violating an international accord on working conditions, equal opportunity and other labor standards, the Council of Europe said Wednesday. |