Colombia : Unions appeal to Europe and ILO
Brussels, 25 May 2005 (ICFTU OnLine): In the run-up to the International Labour Conference and the trade negotiations
between Europe and Andean countries, Colombian unions denounce anti-union repression and worsening work conditions.
By André Linard / InfoSud Colombian unions of all political persuasions are
firmly relying on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to send their government a clear message when the
International Labour Conference opens on May 31 in Geneva. "In 2003, we were not able to secure the sending of a
Commission of Enquiry, but on this occasion we are counting on the ILO and European member states to act with greater
justice," asserted the 6-person Colombian delegation during its visit to Brussels during its European tour (Germany,
Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Italy, Finland and Sweden). The trip was organised at
the beginning of May with the backing of the ICFTU and the WCL.
At this point, it is difficult to forecast whether the balance of power within the ILO Committee on the Application of
Standards will tip in favour of a better result during the forthcoming ILC. The Colombian unions, backed by the entire
workers' group, will renew their efforts to secure a "special paragraph". "Although this measure is a symbolic gesture
without any legal force, employers are bitterly fighting against it, backed by the frenzied diplomatic campaign being
waged by the Colombian government," said the delegation. Yet there is no doubt that the trade union rights situation
Colombia warrants such a measure, as demonstrated by the delegation's report and comments: "From 1 January to 20 April
2005, 16 trade union leaders were murdered and many others suffered serious violations of their most basic rights: 123
death threats, 2 attempted murders, 6 forced displacements, 40 arbitrary arrests, 23 cases of harassment and 4
abductions." Colombia thus remains "the most violent country in the world for social and trade union leaders".
Social repression
Social repression is becoming increasingly harsh according to the members of the delegation. "The government has no
regard for the trade union movement; the Labour Ministry has been merged with the HealthMinistry to form the new
Ministry of Social Protection," explains Héctor Amadeo Rodríguez of the CTC. "We are witnessing a legislative offensive
against workers. Working hours have been made more "flexible" and employers are increasingly using part-time contracts
or temporary contracts, even in the public sector, to avoid having to pay social security contributions for these
workers." The delegation added that whilst the Constitution recognises workers' basic rights, the situation in practice
is quite different.
Beyond the plight of trade unionists, the overall social situation is dramatic, both for workers and the population in
general. "20 million out of the 45 million inhabitants form the economically active population," points out Ramón Eli
Támara, international relations secretary of CUT "Sixty four percent of these people are unemployed. Only 50,000 workers
benefit from a collective agreement." According to the government, unemployment is much lower, but its figures include
the 16 million jobs in the informal economy. "In our view, these are stop-gap jobs," says Mario de Jesus Cardona Marín
of CGT, adding that "workers are dismissed just 3 or 4 months before they are due to retire and lose all their rights".
As a result: "60% of the population live in poverty, that is 24 million people, and 10 million of these live in
absolute poverty," explains Ramón Eli Támara.
The trade unionists explained that the turning point came at the beginning of the 90's, with the policy of
"flexibilisation" and the liberalisation of the economy. "Industries disappeared under the stress of foreign
competition, which was technologically more advanced. Public companies were merged and privatised, leading to major job
losses. Today, the country imports 13 million tonnes of foodstuffs, as compared with 700,000 tonnes in 1990," remarked
Ramón Eli Támara. "Agriculture has lost 400,000 direct jobs. Since then, young people have had no choice but to join the
army or the paramilitaries. Alongside all those displaced by the war are all those who are displaced by poverty, moving
to the south to grow coca," points out Mario Cardona.
Faith in Europe
Colombian unions have since been relying on external pressure on their government to change things. Not only that of the
ILO, but also the European Union, which is involved in concluding trade agreements with Colombia via the Andean Pact.
"Europe can also play a key role by demanding the application of the ILO Conventions that Colombia has signed,"
explained the delegation. The European Economic and Social Committee is scheduled to visit Colombia in July. The
delegation, which has great faith in Europe's "social sentiment and concern for human rights", also hopes to see the
formation of an "Andean Community Trade Union Committee".
The ICFTU represents 145 million workers in 231 affiliated organisations in 154 countries and territories. ICFTU is
also a member of Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org