Colombia: Murder and Impunity

morphus says on May 28, 2008, 05:20:

-More trade unionists have been murdered in Colombia in the last five years than in the rest of the world combined
-In 2007, 39 trade unionists were murdered, down from the 72 murdered in 2006 but increasing the total murdered since 1991 to over 2,200 workers
-Virtually no one is prosecuted for these murders, with less than 2% of murderers prosecuted and convicted
-Colombia is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid outside of the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan, with about 65% of aid going to the Colombian military
-Colombian and the U.S. have signed a Free Trade Agreement that is now awaiting a Congressional vote.

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Monpirri says on May 28, 2008, 05:52:

You have a good point here, what's up with all these murders and impunities?

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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tomtom33 says on May 28, 2008, 06:52:

Seems like a very pro-union group. You need to know the circumstances surrounding these murders and how the murder rate among this population differs from the general population in order to make valid judgments. There are murders where there are no prosecutions and convictions that do not involve anyone connected to organized labor. And trade unionists can be killed for reasons other than their occupations.

And then let's compare this to an earlier time in the US labor movement. Organizing has never been a risk-free occupation.

I personally would prefer that there be no murders of anyone. But I have a hunch that that will never happen anywhere in the world.

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cali373 says on May 28, 2008, 07:26:

I personally have a love/hate opinion on unions. some are actually helpful for assisting the upward mobility from working class to middle class, some are not. However I do not think they always think about the financial health of a company, but then again executives usually get a disproportionate amount of compensation even if the company is not doing so well. but I can only speak for the U.S. Here in the U.S. I do find it interesting that most workers in the U.S. whether executive or not, enjoy the privilages that were brought about by unions, like medical coverage, 40 hours work week, holidays, safe working conditions.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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Tinto (Moderator) says on May 28, 2008, 07:31:

I believe widespread medical coverage came about because it was a way for corporations to get around wage controls during World War II. Unfortunately, the temporary fix never went away.

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tomtom33 says on May 28, 2008, 07:57:

The 40-hour workweek was mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It was part of Roosevelt's New Deal legislation. The depression was the major impetus behind the New Deal legislation. Why have 2 people working 60 hours per week when you can spread that to 3 people working 40 hours? Then there is one more person off the bread line.

The unions, of course, played a big role. In those days, unions were critical. Now, capped by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1972, they are not quite so necessary.

There are no Federal laws requiring holidays or medical coverage. Both unions and competition helped here.

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durito says on May 28, 2008, 08:26:

I don't know anyone is the US that only works 40 hours a week, though I'm sure it's common.


The murder rate for trade unionists in Colombia was allegedly well below that of the regular population last year.

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goin_south says on May 28, 2008, 12:04:

When the profits are high (cocaine),
there's always maximum pressure on the people wanting a cut.

Ciao! Gustav.

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juancegomez says on May 28, 2008, 12:10:

To sum up my position once again:

-Yes, the situation for unions, especially in certain sectors to be clear, is still poor, despite any improvements and nuances that one could mention.

-Yes, there is still a huge amount of impunity despite a few bits of progress on that front.

-Yes, that impunity should be denounced though, as is the case with thousands of other crimes (political, common and otherwise), it may be practically impossible to honestly clear out the bloody backlog at this point (unless someone has any ideas?).

-Yes, despite my usual disagreements with the language used and some particular stances, I think that it's fair to oppose the FTA and in general to pressure the Colombian government about these and other issues, not to mention the U.S. government itself.

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