Colombian lawmakers voted against President Gustavo Petro’s labor reform referendum that aimed to change work hours and pay rates for holidays. This marks a repeated setback in Petro’s efforts to pass labor reforms. Despite the rejection, some lawmakers revived the proposals to allow for further discussion before a June deadline.
Colombian lawmakers on Wednesday rejected President Gustavo Petro’s attempt to push through a referendum aimed at overhauling the nation’s labor laws. The defeated referendum included proposals to limit workdays to eight hours and mandate double pay for holiday work, proposals previously turned down by Congress. This marks yet another setback for Petro as he strives for labor reform in a country grappling with high unemployment and workers’ rights issues.
Earlier this month, Petro presented the 12-question referendum to Congress, seeking to empower voters with a say in reforms that lawmakers have declined to entertain twice. In an impassioned speech during a Labor Day rally earlier this month, he warned lawmakers that failure to approve the referendum could lead to electoral consequences in the 2026 legislative elections.
In the vote that took place, a narrow margin saw 49 senators opposing the measure, while 47 supported it. Following this outcome, Petro denounced the decision as a fraud, continuing his accusations towards Congress for thwarting the voices of the Colombian people and neglecting pressing social reforms.
The referendum, had it passed, would have allowed voters to address several key labor issues including whether the workday should end by 6 p.m., and if job stability should be prioritized through open-ended contracts. The proposed changes aim to enhance job security and working conditions for employees across the nation.
In a surprising turn of events, some lawmakers managed to resurrect Petro’s labor reform proposals by officially appealing their previous dismissal from March. This rare procedural move gives Congress another chance to deliberate on these proposed changes, with a reminder that they must reach a decision by June 20.
In summary, the Colombian Congress has again thwarted President Gustavo Petro’s attempts to reform labor laws, refusing to advance a referendum that could allow voters to establish key work conditions. With intense debates and rejected measures, Petro’s frustrations grow as he accuses lawmakers of neglecting Colombian needs and delaying necessary progress. However, the door remains slightly ajar for future deliberations, with a deadline looming in June for lawmakers to act on his proposals.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
