Submission on imposing tariffs on imported goods manufactured using poor labour or

environmental practices to the Economy, Business & Trade Commission of Labour’s National
Policy Forum

Imposing tariffs on imported goods manufactured using poor labour or environmental practices
would answer in part the questions “How do we work with businesses, industry and trade unions to
protect workers’ rights and security at work?” and “How do we build fair and sustainable trade
relationships with partners around the world to promote UK trade and take advantage of
opportunities outside the European Union?” asked in the Economy, Business & Trade
Commission’s discussion paper. It would encourage our trading partners to improve their labour
and environmental practices.

The UK has some of the most stringent labour rights and environmental standards in the world,
legislated for in the Working Time Regulations 1998, the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Pension
Acts, the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the Environmental
Protection Act 1990, amongst others. Imposing tariffs on imported goods manufactured using
labour or environmental practices that are below these standards would encourage our trading
partners to improve their labour and environmental practices. The UK would assess manufacturers’
compliance with these standards and offer advice to help them achieve compliance with these
standards and consequent tariff-free trade.

I would like to submit a proposal to impose tariffs on imported goods manufactured using labour or
environmental practices that are below UK standards, to assess manufacturers’ compliance with
these standards and to offer advice to help them achieve compliance with these standards and
consequent tariff-free trade.