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Unions plan mass marches across Colombia in Protest

http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2008/10/03/unions-plan-mass-marches-a...

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October 3, 2008 12:00 am admin frontpage, news
by René Lavanchy

COLOMBIAN trade unionists will take to the streets across the country’s cities next week, in what they hope will be a giant protest against working conditions and the policies of President Alvaro Uribe.

It comes as two high-profile strikes in the judicial sector and the sugar cane industry are going into their second month and as the number of death threats reported against Colombian trade unionists has increased.

Tarcisio Mora, president of the CUT Colombian trade union federation, told Tribune that the marchers would have to overcome their fear of reprisals by right-wing paramilitaries: “We’re trying to get people to have confidence to go out into the street and the international community will watch out for any violence.”

“In this country, it’s easier to organise a group of delinquents than a trade union. For this reason, the day carries great importance. The world needs to understand.”

President Uribe has claimed the strikers are backed by left-wing guerillas, he added.

Colombia’s criminal justice system has been hamstrung by some 40,000 workers in the Asonal union, who have been on strike since September 3 after rejecting a pay rise amounting to 600 pesos (15p) a day.

A further 10,000 sugar cane cutters went on strike on September 15.

Mr Mora said less than half of eligible workers receive the minimum wage. “Here in Colombia, there’s exploitation of men, women and children. Children in the streets are exploited in an inhuman way and the government does nothing about it.”

Asonal president Fabio Hernández says he was the victim of an assassination attempt earlier this month, which the government denies.

President Uribe insisted last week he regarded the labour movement as “respectable”. He also says that the justice department’s budget has been nearly doubled over the past six years to boost its resources.

By mariacvetanoski on Oct 3, 2008, 06:38 in Politics & the war.

mariacvetanoski says on Oct 3, 2008, 06:43:

President Uribe has claimed the strikers are backed by left-wing guerillas, he added.

who are we fighting for the guerrillas or the innocent civilians and unionists??

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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sanandressi says on Oct 3, 2008, 07:06:

Yes and they support Obama as well. A vote for Obama is a vote for the FARC and Hugo Chavez. The American election will affect COLOMBIA and therefore I mention this HERE! John Kerry was a FARC supporter too! Uribe supports McCain and so do I!

"This train will stop in Tucumcari"

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mariacvetanoski says on Oct 3, 2008, 07:12:

Mc Cain and Pailin will HELP COLOMBIA and THE USA if they approve on the trade agreement!!

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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romy says on Oct 3, 2008, 08:38:

uribe has never endorsed MacCain... nor FARC Obama... where do you fet this nonsense?

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borat says on Oct 3, 2008, 15:56:

maybe from fox news?

what you believe is not important, it's what you do that counts

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borat says on Oct 3, 2008, 16:02:

brave people, when I stumbled across the May day labour demonstration this year the military police were swift to move in tear gassing everone from children to old people....No speaking in Colombia.....all paid for by the good old American tax payer?

what you believe is not important, it's what you do that counts

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Desi1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 4, 2008, 01:17:

Borat, where did this happen?

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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rocinante says on Oct 4, 2008, 05:25:

The only way the free trad agreement helps Colombia is by bolstering colombia's inage in the international market. Which assists in improving Colombia's credit rating by Moody's, Ftich...

This will cause heavy investment into Colombia and should have a very long term, distant effect in helping the country by increasing economy jobs - soleley because of the foeign investment coming in in the way of capital and some companies setting up shop and creating jobs here.

The short term effect is hazardous and obviously has been posted here by some astute posters.

I think Colombia can accomplish what it needs to slowly, without having to use the TLC as a catalyst - which hurts big time up front and the delayed dividends may not be that great or worth enough to warrant the initial pain.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Oct 4, 2008, 05:27:

Obama is laying $300 to win $100 at Lloyds of London and other similar insurance firms. The election is over and you can quote me on that.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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borat says on Oct 10, 2008, 06:34:

sorry Desi, haven´t been on line for a couple of days, it was in Simon Bolivar plaza.

what you believe is not important, it's what you do that counts

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