Union leaders question Colombia’s use of aid received from US

By Vicki Needham - 08/24/11 06:23 PM ET

Two union leaders are asking a House panel to investigate whether the Colombian government misused U.S. aid that they say endangered labor activists.

Larry Cohen and Leo Gerard, respective presidents of Communications Workers of America and United Steelworkers, are asking the House Select Intelligence Committee to look into press reports that allege that U.S. aid, equipment and training was used by Colombian officials who put labor leaders and activists in danger.

“Colombia has the worst record of any country in the world when it comes to violence against union leaders and activists,” Cohen said. “The Select Intelligence Committee must take these allegations seriously, and aggressively investigate abuse of U.S. government support and assistance [to] Colombia.”

Congress could take up the Colombia, South Korea and Panama free-trade deals within the next couple of months.

Unions and many House Democratic lawmakers oppose the Colombian deal because it doesn’t include a labor action plan crafted by the White House and the Colombian government that requires improved protections of workers and labor activists as well as stronger punishments for violence.

“If U.S. assistance fueled Colombia’s actions in this area, it not only highlights the unacceptable track record of the Colombian government, but undermines any conceivable legitimacy of an FTA with Colombia,” Gerard said.

The two labor leaders asked Congress to investigate the allegations before taking up any of the trade deals.

“Colombia has not done enough to address the flaws in its laws to protect workers’ rights,” Gerard and Cohen said in a joint statement to the committee.

“Colombia should not be rewarded with an FTA until the workers in that country have the rights they deserve and the confidence that in exercising those internationally recognized rights, they will not be subject to violence.”