Pete Stark: “I oppose H.R. 3009, the Andean Trade Expansion Bill not because I don't want to help eradicate the drug trade in the…”

“I oppose H.R. 3009, the Andean Trade Expansion Bill not because I don't want to help eradicate the drug trade in the Andean region, but because this bill overlooks the importance of protecting labor rights overseas and sets up unfair trade circumstances for U.S. textile workers. Labor activists are being assassinated and threatened in Colombia by the paramilitary organizations seeking to defend the illicit drug trade. I have joined with my colleagues in writing to the President of Colombia asking for him to investigate the various deaths of union activists who have worked diligently to try to bring fair and legal trade practices to a country whose primary export is cocaine. We have received no response and don't expect to. the U.S. is giving the Andean region duty-free status on various imports in hopes that the region will replace their drug economy with other sustainable economic alternatives. We get nothing in return, except corrupt governments that look the other way when it comes to international core labor standards. It is up to this Congress to stress the need for labor unionist protections when basic international labor rights are being violated and lives are being threatened.”