Colombia trade deal will increase repression – Latin American workers – Part 6
Liberal trade critic Scott Brison is scrummed by Ish Theilheimer for Straight Goods News.
recorded on Parliament Hill, on March 26, 2009
Transcript
Scott Brison: [inaudible] ... human rights. It's tough to make that argument when in fact the funding for the paramilitaries comes largely from the narcotics trade. If we do not create legitimate economic opportunities through real trade, those Colombians will continue to be drawn into the narcotics trade and the paramilitary organizations...
Question: [inaudible]
Scott Brison:... Well, actually, the EFTA countries [European Free Trade Association] recently did a trade agreement with the government of Colombia, and in that agreement there was no labour or environmental provision. Colombia is currently negotiating a trade agreement with the European Union, and we'll see whether or not they address labour and the environment specifically. But the ILO provisions are actually quite strong, and this agreement actually goes further, including a $15 million fine for violations which will go into a fund which will help augment and strengthen the rights of workers.
Question: [inaudible]
Scott Brison:... It's as legitimate and powerful as a side agreement.
Straight Goods News: Union leaders from Colombia tell me that workers in Columbia are being driven to low-wage employment, which is driving the drug trade. What do you say about that?
Scott Brison: The fact is no economic opportunities certainly will push more people into the drug trade. And, if we create legitimate trade opportunities, that has a greater capacity for the people of Colombia to diversify their economy, and for people to have a real choice and not to be forced into the drug trade, which is funding the paramilitary operations... Thank you.
Question: Does that mean you will support it?
Scott Brison: It means that... we're open minded...
