Brussels, 27/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) condemns the official signature, on 26 June, of the multipartite free trade agreement between the EU, Colombia and Peru, to be ratified by the European Parliament this autumn for provisional implementation by the end of 2012.
“Despite a shift in rhetoric by the Santos Administration, the reality on the ground for Colombian workers remains completely unacceptable”, the ETUC states in a press release, calling for a binding action plan on the improvement of labour and other human rights, as well as protection of the environment, as requested in a resolution on 13 June by the European Parliament. “In Colombia, union leaders and labour activists continue to be assassinated, threatened and intimidated, and the perpetrators enjoy almost complete impunity. The appalling levels of violence negate in reality any promises for the free exercise of fundamental labour rights, including freedom of association. Tangible positive outcomes that allow unions to carry out their normal activities are needed so that the EU can conduct trade in line with its treaty obligations in respect of human rights”, the organisation concludes. (EH/transl.jl)