Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan has sought a meeting with Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney to discuss the union’s concerns about the escalating violence against social leaders and trade union activists in Colombia.

The rate of murders of social and trade union leaders – already among the worst in the world – has increased significantly since the present Government was elected in 2018.

The union wants the Irish Government to use its diplomatic relationship with Bogotá to put pressure on its government to fully implement the three-year-old Havana Peace Accord.

The move came on the eve of a Colombian national strike over harmful economic reforms, public service cuts, and lack of compliance with public sector agreements.

In a message of solidarity to Colombian unions and civil society organisations involved in the strike, Fórsa pledged to continue to work to support the full implementation of the Colombian peace process.

The union has participated significantly in the ‘peace monitor mission’ organised by Justice for Colombia. This initiative is jointly funded and supported by trade unions and social justice groups in Ireland and Britain, including Fórsa, which has given support through its member-funded developing world fund.

Along with other unions, Fórsa has expressed dismay at the persistent failure of the Colombian Government to deliver on the Havana Peace Accord.