Anticipated Impacts of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
How will a free trade agreement impact working women and men in Colombia?
President Bush has announced his intention to sign
the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade agreement, and may move
to do so as early as November 22, 2006. This
legislation, which will likely be presented for
Congressional approval in the next few months, may
have grave impacts on labor rights and working
conditions in Colombia.
This briefing will highlight first-hand testimony
from Colombian organizers at the forefront of labor
struggles in the cut flower and beverage bottling
industries.
Speakers
Luz Marina Peñalosa is a community organizer
for CACTUS in Bogotá, Colombia, an organization that
conducts research, education, communication and
organization with flower workers and their local
communities. She will discuss the impact of recent
labor reforms and the upcoming U.S.-Colombia Free
Trade Agreement on women workers in Colombia's cut
flower industry, the largest source of cut flowers
in the U.S.
Alfonso Baron Sanchez is the General Secretary of
the National Board of Directors of SINALTRAINAL,
Colombia's food and beverage workers union
that represents workers at Coca-Cola bottling
plants, will speak about the pattern of violence
facing trade unionists in Colombia. Colombia is the
most violent country in the world for trade unionists.
Co-sponsoring Congressional Offices
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and
Congressman Raul Grijalva
|
Witness for Peace
Melinda St. Louis
Executive Director
|
U.S. Office on Colombia
Heather Hanson
Executive Director
|
The briefing will last approximately one hour.
Translation will be provided.
We hope to see you there.
October 13, 2006, 10:00AM
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2105
