11 June, 2014The Canadian oil giant Pacific Rubiales Energy is renowned in Colombia for its exploitative practices towards workers, indigenous communities, the environment and the economy. In an attempt to whitewash its image the company is now sponsoring the Colombian World Cup team.
Pacific Rubiales Energy is very influential in Colombia. It has become a state within a state, subjecting the country’s military and institutions to its own interests; it has used violence and repression to silence the protests of workers and communities. For good measure, it has offered up a few crumbs in the name of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The anti-union company has now become an official partner of the national football team, angering members of IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliate representing workers in the sector.
José Marin Moreno, communications secretary of the Unión Sindical Obrera de la Industria del Petróleo (USO), slams the move, saying:
“It’s outrageous that 250 relatives of the Colombian national team are enjoying a trip to Brazil at the company’s expense, while USO Vice-President Dario Cardenas continues to languish in jail for his efforts to ensure respect for oil workers’ rights. Pacific Rubiales and the Colombian government need to get this straight: non-renewable resources should be used to promote sustainable development, not to sponsor sports and entertainment!”