Comments on: Schock touts Columbia free trade agreement

By: David P. Jordan

David P. Jordan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:09:24 +0000

So here is a list of things Mr. Uribe should bring up during his meeting with President Obama. First of all, President Uribe must assure Mr. Obama that he is determined to decrease murder rates of labor leaders by half before the end of his presidency next year. The perception among Democrats about the rights of labor leaders in Colombia could hardly be worse, and it is Mr. Uribe’s task to tell President Obama that his government has done enormous progress on this matter. Even though there was a rise in the rate of trade unionist killings last year, it is only a quarter of what it was when Mr. Uribe took office. Yes, shamefully, Colombia remains the most dangerous country for trade unionists, but the levels of killings under Mr. Uribe’s presidency have been low by the country’s terrible standards: the 49 murders last year are well below the annual average of 120, taken since 1986. In short, Mr. Obama should be told that trade union leaders have been safer under President Uribe than under any other Colombian leader in the past 22 years

http://colombiareports.com/opinion/131-gustavo-silva-cano/4533-memo-to-uribe-obama-trade-drugs-and-unionists.html

By: Billy Dennis

Billy Dennis — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:22:33 +0000

Looks good on paper. Much like gun control laws, on paper, automatically takes guns out of the hands of criminals. In fact, Columbia is still a deadly place to be a trade union leader.

By: David P. Jordan

David P. Jordan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:45:42 +0000

Billy,

You’re drinking union kool-aid. Check this out:

http://ustraderep.gov/assets/Trade_Agreements/Bilateral/Colombia_FTA/asset_upload_file293_13717.pdf

By: Mahkno

Mahkno — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:40:18 +0000

If you want the farmers of Columbia to be growing something else, you kinda need to help them find a profitable market for their goods. Having a free trade agreement with Columbia helps with that by providing a more attractive market for their legal goods. If a farmer can’t feed his family with legal crops, it goes without saying, that they will grow what will.

Free trade doesn’t mean commerce goes uninspected. Law enforcement will still be needed.

By: RomanII

RomanII — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:55:04 +0000

Do these people (Congress) know how much drugs come to our country from Columbia? Screw free trading with them, cut themoff entirely until they wise up.

By: AnotherExJSer

AnotherExJSer — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:50:38 +0000

It’s pretty obvious, then, why Schock and the GOP support the deal: Screw unions, let’s make some money.

By: Billy Dennis

Billy Dennis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:30:16 +0000

And apparently, this is a huge problem:

When 14 Colombian trade union members were in the United States for a training program, they were unable to forget just how dangerous it is to support unions in their home country. During the two months they were here, four of their colleagues were assassinated. In a memorial service at AFL-CIO in Washington, D.C., yesterday, we joined the Solidarity Center and the Colombian workers to honor those who were killed and to reaffirm our determination to fight for workers’ and human rights in that country.

By: Billy Dennis

Billy Dennis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:27:41 +0000

US labor orgs oppose the measure because the agreement doesn’t protect labor from persecution in Columbia. Details are here:

In an announcement in the July 29 Federal Register, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) asks for comments on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. USTR is conducting a review of labor-related issues in the context of the agreement and is seeking “comment from the public to assist the USTR in working with the Colombian government to secure continued progress in ensuring that Colombia’s workers can fully exercise their fundamental labor rights.”

Written comments are due by noon, Sept. 15, 2009. Comments should be submitted electronically online at http://www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to online submissions, contact Gloria Blue at 202-395-3475.

The AFL-CIO and a broad coalition of groups have opposed congressional consideration of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement until workers can fully exercise internationally recognized labor rights without fear, the country makes deep and sustained progress on ending impunity and labor law reforms bring the country’s laws into compliance with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards. The AFL-CIO Executive Council recognized the courage of Colombian workers by nominating Colombia workers’ rights activist Yessika Hoyos for the 2008 George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award.

By: AnotherExJSer

AnotherExJSer — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:10:23 +0000

“Signed by the U.S. and Colombian governments three years ago, those in charge of Congress…”

Did they use indelible ink? Is that why Pelosi has to wear heavy makeup?

Let me ask the obvious question: What’s the other side of the argument?