인도·태평양 경제프레임워크(IPEF) 노동기준에 관한 연구 - 필라 1 노동챕터 및 필라 2 공급망협정 내 노동조항을 중심으로 -

Major trading partners are moving to link labor issues and their supply chains to enforce stricter labor standards across the supply chains worldwide. In particular, along with the rise of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues, the trend of strengthening regulations on forced labor-related products and strengthening regulations on labor obligations at the workplace level has been witnessed. In particular, the U.S. has made various efforts to introduce a new trade and labor linkage model with a differentiated scope, content, and regulation method from existing FTA labor standards. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity or the “IPEF” is expected to be its first attempt outside the North American region. Since its launch on May 23, 2022, IPEF negotiations have been ongoing with the goal of reaching a conclusion at the APEC Summit (San Francisco) in November 2023. IPEF consists of four ‘pillars’ on (i) trade (ii) supply chain (iii) clean economy (iv) fair economy. Among the four pillars, Pillar 2 “IPEF Supply Chain Agreement” was concluded first on May 27, 2023, followed by “IPEF Clean Economy Agreement“ and “IPEF Fair Economy Agreement“ concluded on November 16, 2023. While the IPEF labor standards are reflected in all four pillars, Pillar 1 is expected to include the most specific labor obligations. Although Korea has already ratified most ILO international labor standards that are expected to be reflected in the IPEF, improvements in domestic laws and systems may be required to implement them more effectively domestically. A close review is needed during the negotiation process so that IPEF labor standards do not become regulatory barriers that affect a company's specific production process or supply chain. Given that most of ASEAN countries, which are major global production bases such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, participate in the Pillar 1 discussion, the IPEF labor standards are expected to have a significant impact especially on manufacturing industries. If a facility-specific monitoring mechanism at the workplace level is to be included in Pillar 1, compliance with IPEF labor standards by overseas companies may become more important than with the traditional FTA dispute resolution system in which primarily ‘the Parties[the participating countries]’ are subject to regulation. It will be necessary to examine whether there are any labor issues that may arise not only in relation to the United States, but also in relation to the 12 other IPEF negotiating countries. It is also significant to seek ways to establish a legal and institutional basis to secure 'qualitative' stabilization of the supply chain.