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WASHINGTON D.C. -- Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), Ranking Member on the House Intelligence Committee, today voted in favor of the Oman Free Trade Agreement (H.R. 5684). The agreement would expand trade between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman, broadening economic relations with an integral Middle East ally. While acknowledging the bill wasn't perfect, Harman argued that Oman had made necessary labor and environmental concessions. Her statement follows:
Mr. Speaker, the Oman FTA is far from a perfect agreement. It would have been vastly improved if the parties had adopted the model of the Jordan FTA, which includes strong, enforceable protections for core labor standards and environmental regulations in the text of the agreement. I fail to understand just why the Bush Administration refuses to use this model -- such a move would go a long way toward restoring the once bipartisan consensus on trade.
However, I support this agreement because the Omani government has made meaningful commitments to bring its labor laws into compliance with core ILO standards. In response to concerns raised by many Democratic members, the government pledged to impose strong penalties for anti-union discrimination, regulate collective bargaining in a manner consistent with ILO standards, protect the right to strike, and step up enforcement of existing prohibitions on child labor and forced labor. The USTR has made clear that these commitments are enforceable under the Labor Chapter of the FTA.
Furthermore, in response to a concern I raised, Oman has agreed to become a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Gulf of Oman provides important habitat for several species of sea turtles, and I applaud the Omani government for taking this necessary step to protect these endangered species.
Finally, this agreement lends support for democratization and development in the Middle East. Oman has taken significant steps toward opening up its political process and is a leader in the region on women's rights. Women can vote and run for office, and actually outnumber men at the national universities! This is not to downplay the significant human and civil rights problems that persist. But by passing this agreement, we send an important signal to the Omani government that we recognize the progress it is making, and expect that there is more to come.
Every trade agreement must be evaluated on its merits, and I believe the Oman FTA passes the bar. My decision, however, is not an endorsement of the Bush Administration's trade policy. The ad-hoc process by which the White House negotiates trade agreements and side commitments on labor and the environment is flawed and must not be the norm.
I am reserving judgment on the Peru FTA.
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