[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37759-37760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17798]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Comments Concerning Free Trade Agreement With the
Republic of Colombia
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is conducting a
review of labor-related issues in the context of the free trade
agreement (FTA) between the United States and the Republic of Colombia
(Colombia) signed on November 22, 2006, and amended on June 28, 2007.
The FTA has not yet entered into effect. As part of that review, the
interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) seeks comment from the
public to assist the USTR in working with the Colombian government to
secure continued progress in ensuring that Colombia's workers can fully
exercise their fundamental labor rights.
DATES: Written comments are due by noon, September 15, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted electronically via the Internet
at http://www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to on-line submissions
please contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff
Committee, at (202) 395-3475.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning
written comments, contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade
Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395-3475. All other questions should
be directed to Bennett Harman, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative for Latin America, at (202) 395-9446.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 18, 2003, in accordance with
section 2104(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 2002, the USTR notified Congress
of the President's intent to enter into negotiations on an FTA with
Colombia, identified specific objectives for the negotiations, and
solicited comment from interested persons on matters relevant to the
FTA. 69 FR 7532. On June 23, 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor with
the USTR and U.S. Department of State, issued a request for comments
from the public regarding labor rights in Andean countries, including
Colombia. 69 FR No. 120. On August 24, 2006, the President notified
Congress of his intent to enter into an FTA with Colombia, and
representatives of the two governments signed the FTA on November 22,
2006. On June 28, 2007, the Parties amended the FTA to reflect the
provisions of the May 10, 2007 Congressional-Executive Agreement on
Trade Policy. The full text of the FTA is available at http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/colombia-fta/final-text.
Issues have been raised about the extent to which Colombians are
able to exercise their fundamental labor rights, as referenced in the
FTA. In that light, the President has asked the USTR to assess what
steps can be taken, along with the government of Colombia, to secure
continued progress in ensuring that Colombia's workers can exercise
their fundamental labor rights. To assist the USTR in fulfilling this
task, the Chairman of the TPSC invites interested persons to provide
written comments on these questions and requests. Specific questions
for comment are:
(1) Are there gaps in Colombia's labor law regime, including its
enforcement mechanisms, with respect to providing for the fundamental
labor rights of its citizens? If there are gaps, please identify them
and provide specific suggestions for improvement.
(2) Is the Colombian government taking adequate steps to protect
Colombia's workers from acts of intimidation or violence that impede
the exercise of their fundamental labor rights? If there are gaps,
please identify them and provide specific suggestions for improvement.
(3) Has the government of Colombia made sufficient progress in its
efforts to prosecute the perpetrators of violence and intimidation
against unionists exercising their fundamental labor rights? If there
are gaps, please identify them and provide specific suggestions for
improvement.
The public is also invited to comment on other issues they believe
relevant to the FTA, including the potential benefits of the agreement.
Interested persons may submit written comments by noon, September
15, 2009 (see requirements for submission below). Written comments
should be submitted in English and must state clearly the position
taken and describe with particularity the supporting rationale.
Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions: To ensure the most
timely
[[Page 37760]]
and expeditious receipt and consideration of comments, USTR has
arranged to accept on-line submissions via http://www.regulations.gov.
To submit comments via http://www.regulations.gov, enter docket number
USTR-2009-0021 on the home page and click ``go''. The site will provide
a search-results page listing all documents associated with this
docket. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ``Notice'' under
``Document Type'' on the left side of the search-results page, and
click on the link entitled ``Send a Comment or Submission.'' (For
further information on using the http://www.regulations.gov Web site,
please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on
``How to Use This Site'' on the left side of the home page.)
The http://www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of
making submissions by filling in a ``General Comments'' field, or by
attaching a document. We expect that most submissions will be provided
in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to
type ``See attached'' in the ``General Comments'' field.
Submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) are
preferred. If you use an application other than those two, please
identify the application in your submission. For any comments submitted
electronically containing business confidential information, the file
name of the business confidential version should begin with the
characters ``BC''. Any page containing business confidential
information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top
of that page. If you file comments containing business confidential
information you must also submit a public version of the comments. The
file name of the public version should begin with the character ``P''.
The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be followed by the name of the person or
entity submitting the comments. If you submit comments that contain no
business confidential information, the file name should begin with the
character ``P'', followed by the name of the person or entity
submitting the comments. Electronic submissions should not attach
separate cover letters; rather, information that might appear in a
cover letter should be included in the comments you submit. Similarly,
to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other
attachments to a submission in the same file as the submission itself
and not as separate files.
We strongly urge submitters to use electronic filing. If an on-line
submission is impossible, alternative arrangements must be made with
Ms. Blue prior to delivery for the receipt of such submissions. Ms.
Blue may be contacted at (202) 395-3475. General information concerning
the Office of the United States Trade Representative may be obtained by
accessing its Internet Web site (http://www.ustr.gov).
Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. E9-17798 Filed 7-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W9-P