Author
Mrs Amna Zaman
Organisation/Institution
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Country
QATAR
Panel
International Regulation of Trade
Title
Digital Trade, Labour, and Development: Rethinking International Trade Rules for Asia’s Inclusive Digital Economy
Abstract
Proposed Title Digital Trade, Labour, and Development: Rethinking International Trade Rules for Asia’s Inclusive Digital Economy Category: International Regulation of Trade Abstract This paper examines how international trade law regulates the digital economy in Asia and its effects on workers, especially in developing countries and least developed countries. It focuses on the growing interaction between digital trade rules and labour provisions in recent agreements across the region, including CPTPP, RCEP-adjacent practice, ASEAN digital initiatives, the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). The paper makes three arguments. First, current digital trade disciplines - such as protections for cross border data flows and limits on data localization - often narrow domestic policy space for building local digital capacity. This weakens efforts to promote digital inclusion, skills, and decent work. Meanwhile, labour chapters rarely address platform and gig work, leaving core problems of informality, algorithmic control, and weak social protection unresolved. Second, these legal designs risk widening existing divides within Asia. They favour economies with strong institutions and advanced firms, while creating high compliance costs for lower income partners. The result is uneven gains from digital trade, limited technology transfer, and weak links to sustainable development and justice for digital workers. Third, there is a feasible path to align trade governance with Asia’s priorities of sustainability, justice, and regional integration. The paper proposes fit for purpose labour provisions for digital work; targeted capacity building and financing tied to implementation; explicit policy space for data governance in support of MSMEs and public interest; and regional cooperation to harmonise standards, mutual recognition of skills, and interoperable safeguards. Grounded in Asian practice and comparative treaty design, the paper offers a legal framework to make digital trade rules enable, rather than constrain, inclusive digital transformation. It shows how international regulation of trade can support greener growth, fair labour outcomes, and deeper regional integration in Asia. Keywords: digital trade, digital labour, digital inclusion, digitalization, sustainability, Asia
Biography
Amna Zaman is a doctoral research fellow working at the Industrial Policy for Digital Development (IPDD) project at Hamad Bin Khalifa University Qatar, and is a second year S.J.D candidate. The project is funded by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF). Amna works as a part-time consultant with International Labour Organization project office in UN House in Qatar. Amna serves as a fellow at the WTO World Chair Programme in Qatar. She completed her LLB (Hons) from the University of London (2016) and did her LLM in International Law and Foreign Affairs from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Amna is a licensed lawyer in Pakistan who has eight years of experience in corporate law and family law. She has also taught LLB students registered with the University of London for six years. Amna has served as the Vice Chairperson of legal Education Monitoring Committee (2020).
