EU countries urged to stand firm on GSP regulation

European Union states must include strong clauses to defend workers' rights in the new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) regulation providing trade benefits for developing countries, representatives of the international trade union movement declared in Brussels.

The ICFTU, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and World Confederation of Labour (WCL) said they are deeply concerned at reports that the European Commission and certain member states are considering a clause to water down the GSP's labour standards content.