Colombian Action Network in Response to Free Trade, Recalca, Bogotá, June 21st, 2010
During the 99th International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference, held this month in Geneva - Switzerland, the president of the General Confederation of Labor, CGT, Julio Roberto Gomez, expressed support for the candidacy of Juan Manuel Santos, who was defense minister during the government of Alvaro Uribe. The Uribe government was characterized by its persecution, stigmatization and prevention of the development of trade union organizations and it converted the country into the most (...)
In formal comments filed this week, the ranchers advocacy group R-CALF USA urged the U.S. Trade Representative to reject a proposed free trade agreement with Colombia.
The U.S.-Colombia FTA “completely ignores the unique characteristics of the U.S. cattle industry and likely would harm farmers and ranchers, consumers, and the rural communities all across America that are economically dependent on a vibrant U.S. cattle industry,” R-CALF said.
R-CALF USA said domestic cattle prices were (...)
Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, Mar 26, 2009
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives today expressed outrage that the federal government has introduced legislation for a free trade deal with Colombia, ignoring the pleas of Canadian and Colombian activists for a human rights assessment in advance of any deal. The government’s action also breaks its own promise to take their human rights concerns into account before making this move.
MARC GROSSMAN ("Opening up trade with Colombia," Op-ed, July 10) says that this is "the perfect time" to pass the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, because the struggle for democracy in Colombia "requires creating jobs, enhancing human rights, and protecting labor leaders." Sure it does, but will the FTA accomplish this?
STEVEN R. WEISMAN, The New York Times, July 13, 2008
WASHINGTON — To President Bush, the free-trade deal his administration negotiated with Colombia has something for everyone.
If approved by Congress, it would open a new market for American produce and manufactured goods. Unlike other trade deals, it would not threaten American jobs, because imports from Colombia are already coming in nearly duty-free.
Todd Gordon, Todd Gordon’s ZSpace Page, June 12, 2008
What’s the monetary value of a Colombian trade unionist’s life? As it turns out, it depends on how many are killed in a given year since the potential fines the Colombian government will have to pay as penalty under its free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada whenever a union activist is killed is capped at $15 million. If this sounds like a sick joke I apologize, but this is in effect what the Canadian government actually negotiated.
