07.30.10
After Colombia, Guatemala is considered the second-most dangerous country in the world in terms of assassination of union leaders. Members of Congress raised serious concerns with the Bush administration and urged it to take action to address the rising violence against labor activists.
Chairman Miller Applauds Administration Action on Labor Rights in Guatemala
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, applauded an announcement by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the Obama administration will file a complaint against Guatemala for violating labor obligations under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). This is the first such case ever filed by the United States. “Today’s announcement is a positive step forward and shows that the Obama administration is taking anti-labor union violence in Guatemala more seriously. I thank the AFL-CIO for initiating the complaint, and Secretary Solis and Trade Representative Kirk for taking this important action,” said Miller. “While Guatemala made significant strides to eliminate anti-labor killings leading up to CAFTA’s ratification, I have been concerned with the increased violence in the country since the treaty’s adoption. This action helps American workers by ensuring that our nation’s trading partners live up to their promises. It is unfortunate that we have to go back and correct fundamental problems that were supposed to have been resolved when this treaty was signed. That’s why future agreements must ensure that commitments on labor rights are visible, verifiable and enforceable.”After Colombia, Guatemala is considered the second-most dangerous country in the world in terms of assassination of union leaders. Members of Congress raised serious concerns with the Bush administration and urged it to take action to address the rising violence against labor activists.
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