News: Canadians briefed on human and workers’ rights in Colombia
Published by Patrick July 22nd, 2008 in International Solidarity, John Gordon, National Issues Tags: colombia, gordon, International Solidarity.
via nupge.ca
Labour leaders undertaking week-long tour of South American country
Bogata (23 July 2008) - Four of Canada’s top public sector union leaders arrived at Bogota airport on July 18 to begin a week-long labour tour and learn directly about the potential impact of a Canada-Colombia free trade deal on Colombian workers and their families.
They were greeted by members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores Postales de Colombia (STPC - Union of Postal Workers) and the Association of Public Employees of the Human Rights Ombudsman (ASDEP), among other labour groups.
The Canadian delegation includes George Heyman, international vice-president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), John Gordon, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Paul Moist, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and Denis Lemelin, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
Before visiting the displaced persons community of La Onda in Medellin on July 19, the four leaders attended two intensive presentations on the grave situation that exists in Colombia. The conclusion they heard from all of the presenters was: of all presenters: things are worse than ever.
They met first with the National Federation of Public Sector Workers (FENALTRASE), including members of the Association of Workers from the Justice System (ASONAL), controllers office and health care unions.
Million missing
An estimated one million people have disappeared to date and union persecution continues, FENALTRASE president Mariano Jose Guerra informed the delegation. Despite the repression, he added, through unity at a global level, the labour movement has the potential to increase in strength. The Colombian leader is a lawyer for victims of repression.
Another young union leader explained that she had just received a letter from her employer threatening to fire her for organizing her co-workers. Such threats against trade union leaders have forced many of them to have body guards. They have been systematically targeted for harassment, kidnapping and assassination.
The leaders’ second briefing was with the National Labour School (NLS), supported by several international groups, including the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
With the unexpected rise in support for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, following the globally-publicized rescue earlier this month of 15 high-profile hostages who had been held for years by guerillas, the school staff speculated that he may now attempt to run for a third term in office.
The staff also said that Uribe supports the creation of thousands of worker cooperatives that critics say are nothing more than union-busting and a way to lower wages and remove all worker rights. Other government measures would further weaken a union movement already suffering from massive limits on collective bargaining and union organizing, they added.
The Canadian leaders continue their tour this week with more meetings and visits to examine human and labour rights, study working conditions and exchange views on free trade and the absence of labour and human rights guarantees. They also plan to meet with the outgoing Canadian ambassador, government officials and members of the opposition.
The issue of privatization and other problems facing public sector trade unionists are also being discussed during the tour. The leaders return to Canada on July 25. NUPGE