Colombia: Anti-union violent disproves gov't rhetoric

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia: Anti-union violent disproves gov't rhetoric
Sunday, June 19, 2011
By Tom Heyden

Trade union leaders have rejected government claims that human rights and trade unionist protection has improved. The rejection denigrates symbolic gestures aimed at securing a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. The trade union leaders say the FTA will help multinational companies over Colombian workers.

Justice minister German Vargas Lleras announced on May 16 that Colombia had complied with the requisite of ensuring safety for union leaders. Vargas Lleras expressed hope the US-Colombian FTA will go through shortly, coinciding with consistent proclamations from President Juan Manuel Santos's administration that have sought to demarcate Santos's government from that of former president Alvaro Uribe.

Francisco Ramirez Cuellar, the president of trade union Sintraminercol-Funtraenergetica, rejected the notion of human rights progress in Colombia. He said the situation has deteriorated, but a manipulation of the figures allows the government to present a hollow picture of progress.

He told Colombia Reports: “Twenty five years ago when there were 14% of workers affiliated to trade unions, on average a trade unionist was murdered every three days.

More:
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47954