Colombia Still Pushing on Trade Agreement

The Colombian government will pay U.S. lobbyist Andrew J. Samet another $45,000, "to present Colombia's track record on labor issues to Congress, non-governmental organizations and labor unions." The new contract is similar to Samet's earlier work to push the U.S. - Colombia Free Trade Agreement, on which the Center for Media and Democracy previously reported. Samet served as deputy under secretary for labor under President Bill Clinton and later co-founded the Sorini, Samet & Associates lobbying firm. Samet "was responsible for the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation," an addition to the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada meant to address concerns about workers rights.