Read this month’s update on trade and sustainability topics, with on the ground analysis from our international network.
Spain
![]() |
Isabel Castillo Draft plan for adaptation to climate change released The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge released the draft of the II National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change, 2021-2030, a revision of the first plan approved in 2006. The draft of the PNACC 2021-2030 defines and describes 81 sectoral lines of action organized in 18 areas of work, among which human health and various environmental concerns will be most relevant to our members. It also proposes a new governance, to facilitate the coherence of climate action and enhance new practices in legislating, planning, budgeting, managing and reporting. |
US & Canada
![]() |
Kelli Hoggle Network Representative, US & Canada Farmworkers, mostly undocumented, become ‘essential’ during pandemic The state of farm working in the US, and those who perform the work, has drastically changed since COVID-19 has swept the US, going from unnoticed to completely necessary. Most of the fieldwork in the US is performed by immigrant workers, most of whom are undocumented and have been performing this work for decades. In order to keep the food supply chain steady, farmworkers are deemed ‘essential’ and now the spotlight has turned on them to reveal how vital their work is to feed America, yet the irony is they are also considered illegal. The hope is that the US government will realize how vital these workers are to the US economy and food systems and make a way for them to gain legal status so that they can better have their working rights protected. |
Argentina
![]() |
Jimena Sanchez Mercosur: EU welcomes Argentina’s continued engagement in free-trade talks The European Union is pleased that Argentina has decided to go ahead with talks on the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement. This includes both the association between Mercosur and its bloc as well as the free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Alberto Fernandez's government has decided to pause other ongoing negotiations due to differences with its regional partners. |
Bangladesh
![]() |
Saiful Millat Rights of workers upon layoffs A laid-off worker should be paid compensation by the employer for all days during which he is laid-off, minus any weekly holidays. The amount should be equal to half of the total of the basic wages + dearness allowance + housing allowance, if any. The employer shall maintain a muster-roll to keep entries therein by or for the laid-off workers who may present themselves for work at the establishment at the appointed time during normal working hours. Except - when a laid off worker refuses to accept (on the same wages) an alternative employment not requiring any special skill or previous experience, in the same establishment or at another belonging to the same employer and situated in the same town/village/within a radius of eight kilometers from the establishment. A worker being in continuous service under the employer for one year or more, may be retrenched. |
Australia and New Zealand
![]() |
Antonio Pantalone Network Representative, Australia and New Zealand Australian government announces plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions Australia now has around 1,000 active cases of COVID-19, with more than 730,000 tests undertaken. As a result, the Government has outlined a 3-step plan to re-open a COVID-safe Australia and economy.
A detailed plan can be found here, and a summary plan can be found here.
|
India
![]() |
Natasha Majumdar, Network Representative, India. Indian States Relax Labour, Industrial and Welfare Laws Certain states in India have proposed or notified relaxations in labour, industrial and welfare laws during the COVID-19 pandemic with a view to revitalise the economy. Changes, either proposed or notified, impact working hours and shifts, salaries, worker lay-offs, and overall labour laws including minimum wages, industrial safety rules, employees compensation act, health and safety, labour unions and worker representations. The time period of the relaxations varies across the states. The Indian government has withdrawn its order on compulsory wage payments by firms during lockdown. Further information: |