Article 19.12: Labour Council
1. The Parties hereby establish a Labour Council (Council) composed of senior governmental representatives at the ministerial or other level, as designated by each Party.
2. The Council shall meet within one year of the date of entry into force of this Agreement. Thereafter, the Council shall meet every two years, unless the Parties decide otherwise.
3. The Council shall:
(a) consider matters related to this Chapter;
(b) establish and review priorities to guide decisions by the Parties about labour cooperation and capacity building activities undertaken pursuant to this Chapter, taking into account the principles in Article 19.10.2 (Cooperation);
(c) agree on a general work programme in accordance with the priorities established under subparagraph (b);
(d) oversee and evaluate the general work programme;
(e) review reports from the contact points designated under Article 19.13 (Contact Points);
(f) discuss matters of mutual interest;
(g) facilitate public participation and awareness of the implementation of this Chapter; and
(h) perform any other functions as the Parties may decide.
4. During the fifth year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, or as otherwise decided by the Parties, the Council shall review the implementation of this Chapter with a view to ensuring its effective operation and report the findings and any recommendations to the Commission.
5. The Council may undertake subsequent reviews as agreed by the Parties.
6. The Council shall be chaired by each Party on a rotational basis.
7. All Council decisions and reports shall be made by consensus and be made publicly available, unless the Council decides otherwise.
8. The Council shall agree on a joint summary report on its work at the end of each Council meeting.
9. The Parties shall, as appropriate, liaise with relevant regional and international organisations, such as the ILO and APEC, on matters related to this Chapter. The Council may seek to develop joint proposals or collaborate with those organisations or with non-Parties.