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<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><b><font size=6 color=black
face=Cambria><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:21.0pt;font-family:Cambria;
color:black;font-weight:bold'><a
href="http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23323-colombia-us-fta-will-halt-labor-rights-progress-wola.html">Colombia-US
FTA will halt labor rights progress: WOLA </a><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=createdate1><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Tuesday, 10
April 2012 14:58 </span></font></span><span class=createby1><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:black'>Sarah Kinosian </span></font></b></span><font color=black
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
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<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><img
border=0 width=545 height=250 id="_x0000_i1028"
src="cid:image001.jpg@01CD173D.05804A30" alt="Colombia Reports - Refinery"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>The imminent
passage of the <a href="http://colombiareports.com" target="_parent"
title=Colombia>Colombia</a>-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will halt progress
on the Andean nation's appalling workers' rights record, the Washington Office
on Latin America (WOLA) said Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Gimena
Sanchez, WOLA's senior associate for <st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region>,
told <a href="http://colombiareports.com" target="_parent"
title="Colombia Reports">Colombia Reports</a> the final approval of the FTA
would “significantly reduce the political leverage of the <st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> government to really change things for
labor rights conditions in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region></st1:place>.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>U.S.
President Barack Obama is expected to announce that <st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region>
has met the labor rights conditions required for final approval of the FTA at
the upcoming <st1:City w:st="on">Summit</st1:City> of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Americas</st1:country-region></st1:place>, despite ongoing violence
against unionists in the country. Since January 2012, four union members have
been killed across the country, while dozens were murdered in 2011- Colombian
unions say 51, the government says 30.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>The Labor
Action Plan, signed in April 2011 as part of FTA negotiations, stipulated that <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
take measures against the threatening and killing of unionists, prosecute those
suspected of violating workers’ rights, and combat the exploitation of
laborers. The agreement allowed for the U.S. Congress to approve the FTA,
the passage of which has been delayed since 2006 over human and labor rights
concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Sanchez
warned it would be premature for <st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State> to
announce a victory for labor rights in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region>,
saying “we are very concerned that there would be this idea that <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
has complied so soon when the plan hasn’t been given enough time to
actually be implemented properly and secondly when there are great violations
to the plan going on currently.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>According to
Sanchez, the Colombian government has failed to comply with the agreement and
should be given more time to implement change. She cited the ongoing violence
against union workers and continued use of third party contracting by major
companies.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Private
companies hire workers from individual contractors and associative labor
cooperatives, which allows them to hire workers without offering contracts or
benefits, crushing employees’ ability to unionize and demand fare wages
and working conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Sanchez
asserted that although the Labor Action Plan forced the Colombian government to
ban third party contractors, the labor cooperatives continue to operate under
different titles.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>She also
noted that newly-established Ministry of Labor had not been in operation long
enough to impact major changes. She estimates that at least another nine months
are needed for proper implementation of the plan.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>When asked
how the government should proceed to protect labor rights, Sanchez emphasized
the responsibility of Colombian President <a
href="http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/profiles/9075-profile-juan-manuel-santos.html"
target="_parent" title="Juan Manuel Santos">Juan Manuel Santos</a> to
“stand up to companies and tell them that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region></st1:place> is serious about making
these changes.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>She also
stressed the need to target high impunity for those suspected of crimes against
unionists. “The first thing the Colombian government really needs to address
is the 94% impunity issue when it comes to trade unionist violence. It needs to
get a list together and implement sanctions and prosecute those responsible,
not just the direct author of the crime, but those behind it as well,”
she said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Bolder efforts
must be taken to dismantle paramilitary groups that continue to operate and
threaten workers, as well as to ensure that the plan is implemented according
to the agreement, she said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>According to
Sanchez, “only about 100 of the 480 labor inspectors required in the
agreement are in place currently.” She urged not only that these
inspectors be put in place, but that the government ensures they are
well-trained and advocating on behalf of workers’ rights, guaranteeing
that disputes are dealt with properly.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>“The
plan itself is very good and if it's achieved it would be a very positive thing
for workers and it would also be a positive thing for US and Colombian
businesses as it would allow for a more even playing field between the two
countries in terms of the competition and so forth,” Sanchez told
Colombia Reports.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>In February
the Obama administration said <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
had still not complied with the Labor Action Plan -- but his expected comments
will signal that concerns have been assuaged.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>If the FTA
goes through as intended, it is estimated that "the tariff reductions in
the agreement will expand exports of US goods alone by more than $1.1
billion," and will "increase U.S. GDP by $2.5 billion,”
according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:11.25pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>The <st1:City
w:st="on">Summit</st1:City> of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Americas</st1:country-region>
will take place in <a
href="http://colombiareports.com/travel-in-colombia/cartagena.html"
target="_parent" title=Cartagena>Cartagena</a> April 14 and 15.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><a
href="http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23323-colombia-us-fta-will-halt-labor-rights-progress-wola.html">http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23323-colombia-us-fta-will-halt-labor-rights-progress-wola.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Gimena
Sanchez-Garzoli</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Senior
Associate for <st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region> and
the <st1:place w:st="on">Andes</st1:place></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><st1:State
w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Washington</span></font></st1:State><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Office on <st1:place w:st="on">Latin
America</st1:place></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Tele: (202)
797-2171 ext. 205</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> Cell: (202)
489-1702<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Email: <a
href="mailto:gsanchez@wola.org">gsanchez@wola.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=ES style='font-size:12.0pt'>Website: </span><a
href="http://www.wola.org"><span lang=ES>www.wola.org</span></a></font><span
lang=ES><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=ES style='font-size:12.0pt'>Skype:
WOLAColombia<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Twitter: wola_org <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>The
<st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State> Office on Latin America (WOLA) is a
<st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> human rights organization
that promotes democracy and socioeconomic justice in Latin America and the <st1:place
w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place> through analysis and foreign policy proposals
informed by strong partnerships with civil society counterparts in the region.
Visit WOLA’s website to </span></font></i><i><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'><a
href="http://www.wola.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=218&Itemid=37"
title="http://www.wola.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=218&Itemid=37"><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>sign
up</span></font></a></span></font> for more information or </i><i><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:
italic'><a href="http://www.wola.org/donatenow"
title="http://www.wola.org/donatenow"><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>donate now</span></font></a></span></font>
to help WOLA carry out its work.</i><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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