The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been in effect since September 2017. One of the key components of this agreement is the labour mobility provisions, which provides for the temporary movement of certain categories of workers between Canada and the EU.
Under the labour mobility provisions of CETA, eligible workers can obtain temporary work permits in the other country for up to three years, with the possibility of extensions. The categories of workers that are eligible for temporary work permits include intra-corporate transferees, professionals, and contractual service suppliers.
Intra-corporate transferees are employees of a company who are being transferred to a branch or subsidiary of that company in the other country. Professionals are workers who possess specialized knowledge and skills in a particular field, such as engineers, architects, and management consultants. Contractual service suppliers are self-employed individuals who provide services to a company in the other country under a contract.
The labour mobility provisions of CETA are intended to facilitate the movement of skilled workers between Canada and the EU, which can help to address skill shortages in certain sectors and enhance economic growth. The provisions also include measures to protect the labour rights of workers, such as ensuring that temporary workers receive the same treatment as domestic workers in terms of wages, working conditions, and social security.
However, some critics of the labour mobility provisions of CETA have raised concerns about the potential impact on domestic workers in Canada and the EU. They argue that the temporary movement of skilled workers could lead to job displacement and wage suppression for domestic workers in certain sectors, such as information technology and engineering.
Despite these concerns, the labour mobility provisions of CETA have the potential to provide significant benefits to both Canada and the EU. By facilitating the movement of skilled workers, the provisions can help to address labour shortages and enhance economic growth, while also ensuring that workers` rights are protected.
As with any trade agreement, it is important to carefully monitor the implementation and impact of the labour mobility provisions of CETA, in order to ensure that they are functioning as intended and that any negative effects are addressed. Overall, however, the labour mobility provisions of CETA represent an important step forward in promoting economic growth and facilitating the movement of skilled workers between Canada and the EU.