AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NEW ILO PERMANENT

UNCLAS BOGOTA 011300 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT. PLEASE PASS TO DOL, USTR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB ETRD PGOV CO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NEW ILO PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In a cordial meeting on December 14, Marcelo Castro, the newly-appointed International Labor Organization (ILO) permanent representative to Colombia, said he wanted to maintain a cooperative relationship with the GOC, labor, and employer groups. Castro explained his mandate was to support the ILO's Special Technical Cooperation Program, not to criticize the GOC. He said the GOC had been very supportive of his office, explaining that his relations with the trade confederations were more complicated than his relationship with the GOC. The Ambassador stressed our support for the ILO's presence in Colombia, noted our desire to work closely with him, and explained how our bilateral FTA would strengthen labor's position in Colombia. End Summary. -------------- -------------- ILO PERM REP TO SUPPORT COOPERATION, NOT CRITICIZE -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Castro said he had overcome initial GOC fears that a local ILO office would simply become another platform to criticize the GOC. His mandate from Geneva was to support technical cooperation projects, not to criticize the GOC's relations with organized labor. He enjoyed excellent support from the GOC. In fact, his relations with the trade confederations were more complicated than his ties with the GOC. For example, while attending recent GOC-Labor-Employer negotiations on an increase in the minimum wage, Castro said he had resisted union efforts to have him denounce the GOC for its alleged failure to meet its obligations in the discussions. He singled out relations with the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT) as especially challenging, due to "radical" elements within the confederation. ¶3. (SBU) Castro said his office will support the Special Technical Cooperation Program, which includes four projects - social dialogue, employment opportunities for women, employment opportunities for youth, and local economic development. He would provide reports every six months to the ILO's Governing Body, but these reports would focus on his activities rather than GOC's actions. Castro continues to operate out of the ILO office in Mexico, but will move permanently to Colombia on January 15, 2007. He previously worked for the ILO in Colombia from 2000-2002. ¶4. (SBU) Castro said that in addition to union issues, he wanted to explore ways to improve workers' access to health and education. He felt these were key areas where the GOC and ILO could cooperate. Castro stated he had explored such topics in the past with then Labor Minister and current Valle de Cauca Governor Angelino Garzon and then CUT president and current Bogota mayor Lucho Garzon. -------------- VIOLENCE ISSUE MOST CHALLENGING -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Castro said violence against trade unionists was the most difficult issue his office faced. Based on his previous experience in Colombia, Castro said it was clear that much of the violence against union members was political rather than union-related. The ILO's capacity to address this issue was limited, he said, explaining that in 2000 the ILO had tried to do a study of the causes of violence against unionists. The CUT subsequently blocked the initiative. Still, Castro said it was positive that trade unions were voicing public support for the Prosecutor General's initiative to investigate and prosecute crimes against union members. ¶6. (SBU) The Ambassador welcomed Castro's comments, stressed our support for the ILO's presence in Colombia, and noted our desire to work closely with him. He added that our bilateral FTA would strengthen labor's position in Colombia. Castro thanked the Ambassador for his support, and expressed his desire to maintain excellent relations with the Embassy. WOOD