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Body of missing Colombian labor leader found in dump

Bogota, Jul 16 (EFE).- The body of missing union leader Guillermo Rivera, 52, was found at a dump near the town of Ibague, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Bogota, Colombia's CTC labor federation said Wednesday.

Rivera, a Bogota city employee and president of the municipal workers union who was also active in politics, had not been seen since dropping off his daughter at her school-bus stop in the capital on April 22.

The CTC said in a statement that Rivera died April 28, apparently after having been detained by the police.

Colombia's main opposition party, the leftist PDA, said prior to the discovery of the body that witness testimony and video evidence indicated Rivera was seized by members of Bogota's Metropolitan Police.

"The events demonstrate that contrary to official propaganda, the state still does not provide sufficient guarantees to exercise the constitutional rights to life, liberty, union and political organization and participation by members of the opposition," the PDA said.

Rivera's body was identified by wife Sonia Betancourt, who said the last she had heard of her husband was that he was under arrest.

More than 2,700 Colombian union members have been slain in the past 20 years, according to figures from the International Labor Organization.

Colombia's status as the world's most dangerous country for trade unionists is one of the reasons cited by congressional Democrats in the United States for their unwillingness to ratifying the trade treaty the Bush administration negotiated with Bogota in 2006.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2008/07/16/3551275.htm

By (Deleted user) on Jul 22, 2008, 10:12 in Politics & the war.

ColombianoGringo says on Jul 22, 2008, 10:30:

For once, I will agree with you. The treatment of labor leaders in Colombia is atrocious.

This reminds of the time Uribe came to speak in the US about how much was being done to protect labor leaders. A few days later in Colombia, he was damning the teachers union for striking since they had not been paid for a while.

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RUV says on Jul 22, 2008, 10:30:

I thought you left?

I guess someone wanted to make sure he did not talk.

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webmanco says on Jul 22, 2008, 10:33:

The protection given to some sindicalistas is a Visa overseas.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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SUERTE GRINGO says on Jul 22, 2008, 10:35:

Excuse my ignorance but who is responsible for the death of these union leaders, other than the sicarios? Why are they targeted for death?

“If you're gonna eat your crackers in bed, you're gonna have to sleep with crumbs."

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 22, 2008, 10:43:

There is a lot of prejudice against unions in Colombia. The elite and the media have done a pretty good job of painting them as leftist, guerrilla sympathizers. They don't help their image when they sometimes openly associate themselves with organizations or causes that are tied to the farc. Still, none of this justifies killing them. Remember that the same types of things happened in the US. Instead of sicarios, "management" simply hired the Pinkertons to kill union leaders.

The sad thing is that Colombia desperately needs effective unions. Most people in the US forget that the reason that we have so many labor rights is in large part as a result of the efforts of unions over the years.

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cali373 says on Jul 22, 2008, 11:05:

And then Colombian wonder why the US will not ratify the trade agreement. i am not a fan of labor unions in Colombia but I also do not think they should be murdered either.

Colombiagringo you are correct, many people iun the US enjoy the things that were instituted by US labor unions like, the 40 hour work week, medical insurance, vacation. US Americans are very ingnorant of history they just want to know what they can get now.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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Cali2005 says on Jul 22, 2008, 11:22:

This is exactly why the democrats will not approve the Free Trade Agreement

Medellin Apartments and Tours http://www.MedellinApartments.INFO

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SUERTE GRINGO says on Jul 22, 2008, 11:27:

The democrats will approve the FTA soon after Obama is elected president. That is if he is elected.

ColombianoGringo,
Good points. I guess it's part of the process because big business does not want organized labor in any country.

“If you're gonna eat your crackers in bed, you're gonna have to sleep with crumbs."

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dwmte7 says on Jul 22, 2008, 14:13:

now all they're gonna do is talk 'trash' about this guy.

dwmte

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miamimike says on Jul 22, 2008, 19:35:

The sad thing is that Colombia desperately needs effective unions. Most people in the US forget that the reason that we have so many labor rights is in large part as a result of the efforts of unions over the years.

cali373 says on Jul 22 (today): flag

And then Colombian wonder why the US will not ratify the trade agreement. i am not a fan of labor unions in Colombia but I also do not think they should be murdered either.

Colombiagringo you are correct, many people iun the US enjoy the things that were instituted by US labor unions like, the 40 hour work week, medical insurance, vacation. US Americans are very ingnorant of history they just want to know what they can get now.

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Labor's Untold Story! a Great Book with a lot of info on the struggles of the Coalminer's, Transportation, Longshoreman and Seaman's Labor unions and their fight decades back to improve the lives of Millions of ordinary workers. These Member/ workers were not "Communists" either as many of them served proudly in the US Armed Forces. Communists, Hardly! We, even those who don't belong to Unions, enjoy many taken for granted rights such as healthcare, 5 day, 8 hr workdays ect due to their battle years ago. I cannot understand why Labor Unions are bad for Colombia! Are they bad because the Minority Wealthy Old Money class would have to loosen the drawstrings on the money sack or are some afraid they(col working class) may also get an 8 hr workday, 5 days a week? What's the worry?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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tomtom33 says on Jul 22, 2008, 20:01:

The 40-hour workweek was mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 as part of Roosevelt's New Deal legislation. The FLSA first set the workweek in 1938 at 44 hours. That 44 hours was later reduced to 40 hours. Although labor unions contributed to this legislation, the high unemployment rates of the depression pushed it through. Why have 2 guys working 60 hours per week when you can have 3 guys working 40 hours per week and have one guy off the bread line?

Like many other things, the labor movement is in its infancy in Colombia. During the birthing process in the US, many labor activists were killed as well. This is a growing process that cannot be wished away by trade agreements.

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truthspeaker says on Jul 22, 2008, 20:13:

SUERTE GRINGO says on Jul 22 (today): flag
Excuse my ignorance but who is responsible for the death of these union leaders, other than the sicarios?

What?! Aren't FARC killing them???

Remember, I can only tell the truth. No more Sex Tourism in Colombia.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 22, 2008, 21:24:

No TS, they are usually killed by paramilitaries or sicarios working for business interests.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 22, 2008, 21:26:

Mike, I think we are in agreement. I am all for effective labor unions in Colombia.

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papiChulo says on Jul 22, 2008, 21:44:

what if a gringo became a union leader... would they still off him? just a thought.

you'll never go before your time

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truthspeaker says on Jul 22, 2008, 21:47:

"what if a gringo became a union leader... would they still off him? just a thought."

Mas rapido todavia.
Pardon me... does a gringo have a bulletproof skin?

Remember, I can only tell the truth. No more Sex Tourism in Colombia.

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papiChulo says on Jul 22, 2008, 21:51:

no of course not... but would they be so trigger happy? thats all I wonder.

you'll never go before your time

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 22, 2008, 22:00:

It might deter some people, but I wouldn't bet my life on it.

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truthspeaker says on Jul 22, 2008, 23:20:

They killed gringos in the past. As an example, some NGO workers. And DEA agents.
Or am I wrong?

Remember, I can only tell the truth. No more Sex Tourism in Colombia.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 23, 2008, 07:35:

Like I said, I wouldn't bet my life on it.

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romy says on Jul 23, 2008, 07:45:

Trade unions have their down side too when they acquire too much power as they become cartels.... I just heard that you need a license in the US to be an interior designer thanks to that union.

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juancegomez says on Jul 23, 2008, 08:14:

CG: "There is a lot of prejudice against unions in Colombia. The elite and the media have done a pretty good job of painting them as leftist, guerrilla sympathizers. They don't help their image when they sometimes openly associate themselves with organizations or causes that are tied to the farc. Still, none of this justifies killing them."

I would agree, there is no justification for these murders and atrocities, and that this worsens the situation of unions as a whole.

But I must say that there are, in fact, unions that are not harassed and attacked in such ways, so there are definitely sectors, companies and unions which bring together greater or lesser risks than others. Which does not justify those violations that in fact occur, however.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 23, 2008, 08:33:

True, but workers in Colombia are generally treated very badly by business interests. Without the power of collective bargaining, they have little recourse to address their grievances. Unions are far from perfect, especially as they currently exist in Colombia, but they can play a necessary and helpful role.

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juancegomez says on Jul 23, 2008, 08:36:

I wouldn't disagree with that either.

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Neonovo says on Jul 23, 2008, 20:52:

***

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