2008 In Focus Archive: April 9, 2008

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao meets with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Colombian Labor Leaders

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao led a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Colombian labor leaders on April 9th at the U.S Department of Labor. Secretary Chao and the leaders discussed the positive impacts that the Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would have for both the American and the Colombian workforces.

By eliminating tariffs on American-made goods and services exported to Colombia, the Colombia FTA will help create more jobs for America’s workers.

Forty percent of U.S. workers are employed by firms that engage directly in the international trade of goods. Export related jobs pay 13-18 percent more than non-export related jobs. Forestalling the vote on the Colombia FTA deprives U.S. workers of these good paying opportunities.

In the current economic climate where exports are increasingly responsible for job creation in our country the Colombia FTA is important to the competitiveness of the American economy.

The Colombian labor leaders in attendance were Cesar Augusto Velazco, General Secretary of Untracun Cundinamarca Labor Union which represents the flower, construction and footwear sectors of the workforce; Gerardo Sanchez Zapata, General Secretary Antioquia Region of the Textiles Rionegro-Coltejer Labor Union which represents the textile and apparel sectors of the workforce; Eufracio Ruiz Santiago, National Executive Committee Member of Sintra San Carlos Tulua which represents municipal employees; Oswaldo Cuadrado, Senior Advisor and ex-President Central Unitaria de Trabajadores-CUT and ex-Vice President Sintrainagro Public Labor Unions; Carlos Sierra, General Secretary of Centro de Pensamiento Primero de Colombia; and Gustavo Palacio, Union Organizer for mining sector employees.

• Read the Secretary's statement.

Event Photographs

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez listen to Colombian labor leader Oswaldo Cuadrado speak about the mutual benefits of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement at a meeting at the Department of Labor. (DOL Photo/Shawn Moore)

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao addresses U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and labor leaders from Colombia on the importance of passing the Colombia Free Trade Agreement for the American workforce. Pictured (left to right) are Oswaldo Cuadrado, Senior Advisor and ex-President Central Unitaria de Trabajadores-CUT and ex-Vice President Sintrainagro Public Labor Unions, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Gerardo Sanchez Zapata, General Secretary Antioquia Region of the Textiles Rionegro-Coltejer Labor Union. (DOL Photo/Shawn Moore)

Pictured from left: Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez; Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao; Carlos Romero (interpreter); Cesar Augusto Velasco, Secretary General of Untracun (a union representing flower, construction and footwear workers); and Gustavo Palacio (a senior union organizer from the mining sector). (DOL Photo/Shawn Moore)