Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GUATEMALA169
2009-02-23 16:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR RAISES CAFTA-DR LABOR SUBMISSION REPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO0334 PP RUEHLA DE RUEHGT #0169 0541652 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231652Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6997 INFO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 5093 RUEHLA/AMCONSUL BARCELONA 0021
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000169
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DOL FOR PCHURCH
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EEB/BTA, AND DRL/IL
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR CARLOS ROMERO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB ECON ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL GT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RAISES CAFTA-DR LABOR SUBMISSION REPORT
WITH PRESIDENT COLOM
REF: GUATEMALA 145
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000169
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DOL FOR PCHURCH
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EEB/BTA, AND DRL/IL
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR CARLOS ROMERO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB ECON ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL GT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RAISES CAFTA-DR LABOR SUBMISSION REPORT
WITH PRESIDENT COLOM
REF: GUATEMALA 145
1. (SBU) On February 19, the Ambassador raised U.S. concerns
regarding enforcement of labor laws with President Colom and
Foreign Minister Rodas. The Ambassador stressed the
importance of responding quickly to the concerns raised in
the CAFTA-DR labor submission and the recommendations in the
submission report. He noted that he had also raised the
issue with Finance Minister Fuentes (February 17) and
Attorney General Velasquez (February 18). The Ambassador
underscored the need to not only redress past grievances but
also to more effectively enforce labor laws to deter
violations of labor rights and to prevent recurrence of the
practices raised in the CAFTA-DR complaint.
2. (SBU) The President acknowledged the importance of labor
rights, and said he would ensure that the Ministries of
Labor, Foreign Relations, and Economy take needed actions.
Foreign Minister Rodas indicated that Vice Foreign Minister
Pira had already reported our concerns to him, and that he
would hold a meeting to discuss the matter in the Foreign
Ministry later that day.
3. (SBU) In his February 17 meeting with Finance Minister
Fuentes, the Ambassador pointed out that while the labor
issue does not directly impact the Ministry of Finance, it
has wider economic implications and that the U.S. regards it
as a serious matter. Econoff provided Fuentes background on
the complaint and recommendations on next steps. Fuentes did
not have any immediate comment but expressed his clear
interest in collaborating with other ministries to address
the issue.
McFarland
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DOL FOR PCHURCH
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EEB/BTA, AND DRL/IL
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR CARLOS ROMERO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB ECON ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL GT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RAISES CAFTA-DR LABOR SUBMISSION REPORT
WITH PRESIDENT COLOM
REF: GUATEMALA 145
1. (SBU) On February 19, the Ambassador raised U.S. concerns
regarding enforcement of labor laws with President Colom and
Foreign Minister Rodas. The Ambassador stressed the
importance of responding quickly to the concerns raised in
the CAFTA-DR labor submission and the recommendations in the
submission report. He noted that he had also raised the
issue with Finance Minister Fuentes (February 17) and
Attorney General Velasquez (February 18). The Ambassador
underscored the need to not only redress past grievances but
also to more effectively enforce labor laws to deter
violations of labor rights and to prevent recurrence of the
practices raised in the CAFTA-DR complaint.
2. (SBU) The President acknowledged the importance of labor
rights, and said he would ensure that the Ministries of
Labor, Foreign Relations, and Economy take needed actions.
Foreign Minister Rodas indicated that Vice Foreign Minister
Pira had already reported our concerns to him, and that he
would hold a meeting to discuss the matter in the Foreign
Ministry later that day.
3. (SBU) In his February 17 meeting with Finance Minister
Fuentes, the Ambassador pointed out that while the labor
issue does not directly impact the Ministry of Finance, it
has wider economic implications and that the U.S. regards it
as a serious matter. Econoff provided Fuentes background on
the complaint and recommendations on next steps. Fuentes did
not have any immediate comment but expressed his clear
interest in collaborating with other ministries to address
the issue.
McFarland