Jorge Gamboa: "Your solidarity gives us strength"
Issued on July 19, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Colombian Trade Union leader visited Ireland.
The importance of the Irish trade union movements'solidarity work with Colombia was highlighted by Jorge Gamboa during his visit to Ireland 25 - 30 May.
- I can not enough emphasise how much the international trade union solidarity means to us. We are working under very difficult circumstances and the knowledge that people in other countries are waging solidarity campaigns for our movement, gives us strength to continue our struggle.
Jorge Gamboa, who is a member of the Executive Committee of the Colombian trade union confederation CUT, spoke at public meetings in Dublin and Galway. He also met with Irish trade union leaders, politicians and NGO representatives. In 2008, whilst in his role as leader of the Colombian Oil Workers Trade Union; Jorge Gamboa led a national campaign against the privatisation of the Colombian State Oil Company. During this campaign he survived an attempt on his life by a group of police officers and like many other trade union leaders has since had to resort to travelling with bodyguards in Colombia.
"I know that I risk my life by being an active trade unionist, but there is no alternative if we want to change life to the better in Colombia. I want my two sons to live in a future Colombia which is built on peace and justice. The only way to realise that goal is to mobilise people for workers' rights and social justice", said Jorge Gamboa. He also emphasised the work against the proposed EU free trade agreement with Colombia.
"A free trade agreement should not be accepted as long as trade unionists are imprisoned, tortured and killed in Colombia. The European Union should put human rights ahead of commercial interests. I hope all politicians who respect human rights can support this demand."
Jorge Gamboa, who visited Ireland for the first time, especially enjoyed the politically interesting bilateral meeting with ICTU President Jack O'Connor. Jorge also found "the public meeting in the beautiful city of Galway very inspiring." The visit to Ireland was organised by ICTU Global Solidarity and the Irish branch of Justice For Colombia.
Read more about Colombia in the International Trade Union Confederation's Annual Survey 2010 of Violations of Trade Union Rights - click here