Colombia's metalworkers union are planning strikes...

Workers from Colombia's Sintrametal metalworkers union are planning strikes and blockades to call on the government to refrain from signing the free trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated with Turkey.

"In order to call government attention to the increased imports of steel products, we're seeking alliances with different sectors such as transport, and local communities, to start protests to demand that the FTA being negotiated with Turkey will not be signed," the president of Sintrametal, Mauricio Castro, told BNamericas.

Castro said that the union has been talking to workers and local communities explaining why it considers certain measures must be taken, such as blocking the road linking Bogota to Tunja, capital of Boyacá department.

"It's only through such measures that we'll be able to get a response from the government. We've met with the ministry of labor to address our concerns, and no solution was offered," Castro said.

BACKING JOBS

Concerns arose when the government began moving forward with negotiations for a free trade agreement with Turkey, which produces and exports steel, churning out 34Mt/y.

According to the official, the protests are not in vain, but to support local jobs in the industry.

Last week, Castro said that a sharp increase in steel imports, mainly from Turkey, had caused local plant shutdowns and job losses.

"The governor of Boyacá [Juan Carlos Granados] is working with us to see if trade minister, Sergio Díaz-Granados, and President Juan Manuel Santos will receive us and address the situation," he said.

The situation has been challenging despite the national industry association ANDI having predicted that this year's steel production would be 1.8Mt, an increase of 5% compared to 2011.

According to the association, in 2012 the growth trend seen over the last few years will continue, though at a more moderate rate.

Original article: http://www.bnamericas.com/news/metals/steelworkers-plan-strikes-against-fta-with-turkey