Colombia; The World's Most Dangerous Place to Carry a Union Card
28 May 2010, 17:30 - 19:00
Public Talk in Dublin: Jorge Gamboa Colombian TUC
Teachers' Club,
36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Friday 28th May at 17.30
The Irish branch of Justice For Colombia and ICTU Global Solidarity are delighted to have the opportunity to host a public talk featuring a visiting Colombian Union Leader Jorge Gamboa.
Jorge has firsthand experience of how dangerous the situation in Colombia is for those who seek to protect worker rights. In 2008 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 despite this, his high profile means that he continues to be at great risk.
Jorge who is visiting Ireland as a guest of ICTU, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, is a member of the National Executive of CUT (the national federation of trade unions) in Colombia. In 2008 whilst in his role as leader of the Colombian Oil Workers Trade Union he led a national campaign against the privatisation of the Colombian State Oil Company and it was during this campaign that the attempt on his life was made.
This talk will focus on how Europeans, through their governments and international trade agreements, can exert pressure on the Colombian Government to insist that they protect the rights of trade unionists and human rights defenders. The talk will be chaired by Justice For Colombia's chairperson Michael Dowling.
Venue
Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 - Friday 28th May at 17.30