Rep. Johnson named to Congressional Labor Rights leadership group

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) was named this week to the Congressional Monitoring Group on Labor Rights in Colombia, which is led by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and seven other members of Congress.

Johnson was named to the leadership group because of his commitment to improve the protections and conditions of labor and human rights for the people of Colombia. Johnson led efforts in 2011 to ensure worker and minority rights in Colombia ahead of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Johnson said much work remains. “Colombia’s workers – especially Afro-Colombians and indigenous populations – have long faced violence, persecution and a lack of opportunity, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. As the moral and economic leader of the world, the U.S. must espouse policies that break this cycle. I’m proud to begin my work with the Labor Rights group to help end violence against workers, activists and advocates of human and labor rights.”

The group works closely with the White House, U.S. and Colombian labor organizations, non-governmental organizations and the Colombian government to ensure that both the U.S. and Colombia continue to make progress on labor rights including the commitments and timelines announced in the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor Rights.

Congressional Monitoring Group on Labor Rights in Colombia: House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi; George Miller (D-CA); Sander M. Levin (D-MI); Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT); Sam Farr (D-CA); James P. McGovern (D-MA); Joseph Crowley (D-NY) Michael H. Michaud (D-MA) and Hank Johnson (D-GA).

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