The U.S. Commerce Department sought Tuesday to clarify Secretary Gary
Locke’s suggestion that there may be labor-related measures added to
the Colombia free trade agreement, saying that the administration would
simply like to ensure progress on workers’ rights.
Locke mentioned to business representatives Monday the possibility
of “additional agreements that might be incorporated that would be
brought to members of Congress when that trade agreement is ready for
action.”
But a spokesman for Commerce called Tuesday to clarify his
statement, saying the secretary wasn’t suggesting the need for
negotiated text on workers rights to be added to the current draft
agreement before it can be submitted to Congress.
“Secretary Locke was solely suggesting that while the U.S. remains
committed to moving forward with the Colombia FTA, it is also committed
to seeing progress on workers’ rights as part of that process,” the
spokesman said. (Dow Jones)