The UK is close to finalizing a £1.6 billion free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a bloc that includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and others. While the deal is touted to boost trade by an estimated £8.6 billion annually by 2035, it has come under fire for excluding binding commitments on human rights, labor protections, and environmental standards.
Human rights groups have sounded the alarm, warning that the agreement risks aligning the UK with nations known for systemic abuses, especially in the treatment of migrant workers. The absence of enforceable clauses on modern slavery and fair labor practices is seen by many as a troubling step back from the UK’s stated commitment to ethical trade.
Public sentiment reflects that unease. Polls show that a majority of UK citizens oppose trade deals with countries that have poor human rights records. Yet, the government appears determined to press ahead, framing the deal as a key milestone in its post-Brexit global strategy.
As the negotiations near completion, campaigners are calling for a pause and a rethink. Without meaningful protections, they argue, the UK risks not just its reputation, but also its leverage in promoting fairness and accountability on the global stage.
