Obama Certifies Colombia Labor Plan, Clearing Trade Pact

President Barack Obama has approved Colombia’s fulfillment of terms protecting its workers, allowing both sides to proceed with putting the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement into effect, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.

The agreement provides “an opportunity to help stand up for the rights of workers” worldwide, Kirk told reporters in a conference call at the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia. The trade accord will take effect May 15, he said.