| INTERNATIONAL LABOUR
ORGANIZATION 92nd INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE COLOMBIA
GOVERMENT RESULTS ON FUNDAMENTAL LABOR RIGTHS 1. REDUCTION OF VIOLENCE
- During the first
quarter of 2004, assassinations of trade unionists dropped
by 18%.
- As at 1st May,
17 murders have been reported, whereas the number recorded
for the same period in
2003 was 22, representing
a 25% fall. Between 2002-2003 murders of trade unionists decrease
57%.
- Concerning other
crimes, between 2002-2003, kidnappings of trade unionists dropped
by 85%, Forced
disappearances dropped
87.5%.
Protection Programme
- There are 4,576 trade unionists under the direct protection
of the Colombian State, through the Protection Program of the
Interior
and Justice Ministry.
- Trade unionists
have been allocated 55.45% of the 2003 loudget for this Protection
Programme. The
Program spent $ 5.071
COP million between January and March 2004. (Mobile protection,
Schemes in place, Architectural armour, Relocation support, Domestic
Air tickets and Communications devises or systems).
Measures taken against the impunity of Human Rights in violations
committed against Trade Unionists
- The Social Protection Ministry, the
Prosecutor General´s
Office and the I.L.O. have agreed to conduct seminars for Prosecutors
in whose offices 60% of the homicide investigations of trade
unionists and union leaders are concentrated, with the purpose
of creating
awareness among officials, regarding international Labour Law,
the Declaration relating to fundamental labour rights and I.L.O.
control mechanisms.
- With among the
100 criminal and disciplinary investigations approved by the
Special Committee
for investigation on Human Rights
violations, several cases regarding union leaders were included,
among them, those of national regional directors of unions.
Government policy to prevent assassinations of trade unionists
- The establishment of an Evaluation Commission
made up by a representative for each of the Protection Programme's
target groups: delegates
for the Vice-President's Office, the National Security Department
(DAS), the National Police, the Interior Vice-Minister, the Attorney
General's Office and the Human Rights Director, along with one
for the ILO and one for the United Nations. This Commission will
have several aims, which include stepping up security for individuals
under these protection programmes, bodyguard management, courses
on security precautions and a proposal for a special emergency-handling
centre.
2. SPECIAL PROGRAMME OF TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION WITH COLOMBIA
Components being executed
- Revival and strengthening of tripartite dialogue
and consensus mechanism: Inter-institutional Commission for the
promotion and
protection of trade unionists' human rights, ILO Conflict Resolution
Commission and social dialogue committees.
- Extension and consolidation
of mechanisms for dialogue with ILO - seminar workshop on Convention
144 relating
to tripartite
consultations concerning international labour regulations, regional
forums to promote fundamental rights at work, awareness raising
seminars with the Prosecutor General's Office on international
labour regulations and the development of a work schedule with
the Attorney General's Office.
- Dissemination of
international labour regulations in academic circles, a week
devoted to fundamental
rights at work and a national
seminar for Social
3. UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS FALL
- The unemployment
rate fell from 15.6% in 2002 to 12.3% in December 2003. As
at March 2004 the
unemployment rate stood
at 13.6%.
- Since August 2002,
1,200,000 jobs have been created.
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