Mike Levin: “before the Senate passes the miscellaneous tariff bill, I would like to bring attention to a provision in the bill that…”

“before the Senate passes the miscellaneous tariff bill, I would like to bring attention to a provision in the bill that would grant permanent normal trade relations, PNTR to the Republic of Georgia. In general, I support the proposition that the time is ripe for Georgia to receive PNTR. However, I also think we should recognize that the Republic of Georgia has demonstrated enforcement of internationally recognized core labor standards. Georgia grants its citizens the right to emigrate. It is a leader in democratic reform in the Caucuses. It has a relatively strong human rights record. It has been shedding its status as a non-market economy, and this year became a member of the WTO. And it has been an important strategic partner of the United States. To a certain extent, these accomplishments are acknowledged in the preambulatory clauses to the PNTR grant. But there is something missing. There is no recognition of Georgia's effective record of enforcing internationally recognized core labor labor standards and its demonstrated commitment to continue its protection of worker rights in the future. I hope that this gap can be filled in when the bill goes to conference. Why should a grant of PNTR to Georgia acknowledge that country's protection of worker rights and its commitment to continue protecting worker rights? Because, increasingly, U.S. trade policy is reflecting the link between trade and labor.…”