Economic integration implemented at regional and sub-regional levels seems to be the key to a fairer globalization, and ultimately aids in taking a broader approach to trade liberalization. A wider range of economic and social policies are needed in free trade agreement communities because they create a huge impact on local working populations. Focusing on the Americas, this paper serves to investigate the effect of regional economic integration on employers and workers in this area, but also compares theses developments with those in other parts of the world. The paper concludes that urgent action needs to be taken so there are more transparent negotiation processes, more active participation by social actors in those processes, development of a labour dimension in economic integration and trade liberalization processes, and comprehensive applications of the socio-labour agreements that are reached. Ultimately, this would help make these processes important for development, welfare, and social justice.