1. Defining Trade Union Agenda on ASEAN Free Trade Agreement with China: Phase 1 by Raquel DC Arpojia Federation of Free Workers, Philippines

2. Why? Economic Cooperation Agreements - significant instrument in promoting regional and global economic development Free Trade Area between ASEAN and China will create the world’s largest free trade zoneFree Trade Area between ASEAN and China will create the world’s largest free trade zone 1.7 billion consumers a regional GDP of about US$2 trillion total trade estimated at US$1.23 trillion.

3. The Vision: Creating An ASEAN Community ensuring durable peace, stability and shared prosperity in the regionensuring durable peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region 3 Pillars: 3 Pillars: political and security cooperationpolitical and security cooperation economic cooperation andeconomic cooperation and socio-cultural cooperationsocio-cultural cooperation

4. The Vision: Creating An ASEAN Community to create a free trade area by 2020to create a free trade area by 2020 complete deals with other Asian countriescomplete deals with other Asian countries Complete deal with China by 2012Complete deal with China by 2012 elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers standardization of customs procedures standardization of customs procedures gradual reduction of capital controls gradual reduction of capital controls abolition of visa in the region. abolition of visa in the region.

5. Opportunities and Threats + - + - lower costs displacement of workers increase in trade and rationalization of some economic efficiency industries and firms attract more investments loss of tariff revenues promotion of specialization etc. etc. etc.

6. Problem & Challenges trade unions need to have a better grasp, understanding and analysis of its implications to work, workers and the workplacetrade unions need to have a better grasp, understanding and analysis of its implications to work, workers and the workplace Make their voices heard and let it be reflectedMake their voices heard and let it be reflected in agreements in agreements a pro-active measure for TUs to propose policies and strategiesa pro-active measure for TUs to propose policies and strategies promote TU agenda on said multilateral agreementspromote TU agenda on said multilateral agreements

7. Who? FFW : leadership, sectoral membershipFFW : leadership, sectoral membership Other TUsOther TUs GovernmentGovernment Development Objectives Mainstreaming macro-economic issues in particular the FTAs into the Trade Union Agenda; Active participation of TUs on matters pertaining to macro-economics through studies, discussions, debates and social dialogues

8. Immediate Objectives Immediate Objectives generate an exchange of information and experiencesgenerate an exchange of information and experiences increase level of awarenessincrease level of awareness identify and prioritize major labor agendaidentify and prioritize major labor agenda formulate program and policy thrusts recommendations formulate program and policy thrusts recommendations

9. How to realize How to realize Desk ResearchDesk Research Networking/Linkage BuildingNetworking/Linkage Building Seminars, RTDs, Consultation workshops, etc.Seminars, RTDs, Consultation workshops, etc. Maximize websiteMaximize website PublicationsPublications Etc.Etc.

10. Outputs Outputs Briefing Paper on FTA between ASEAN and ChinaBriefing Paper on FTA between ASEAN and China Trade Union leaders able to articulate and discuss the concept of FTA particularly between ASEAN and ChinaTrade Union leaders able to articulate and discuss the concept of FTA particularly between ASEAN and China Labor Agenda on FTA between ASEAN and ChinaLabor Agenda on FTA between ASEAN and China Approved Policy and Program of ActionApproved Policy and Program of Action

11. Cost US$33,901.81US$33,901.81 Requested Amount from Partner Organization: US$25,426.36 Local Counterpart US$ 8,475.45 Project Duration 18 months : July 2004 – December 2005