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Colombia’s Petro Threatens Labor Reform by Referendum as Congressional Deadline Looms

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has signed a decree to hold a referendum on labor reforms, aiming to push the Senate for a timely vote before the session ends on June 20. The proposed changes include limiting work hours and increasing surcharges for weekend work. Opposition parties have criticized the decree as unconstitutional, with the potential for legal challenges. The ongoing struggle reflects broader challenges in advancing Petro’s agenda against a backdrop of upcoming elections.

In a significant development on Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro officially signed a decree aimed at holding a referendum on proposed labor reforms. This move is designed to compel the Senate to expedite their vote on the proposal before the current congressional session concludes later this month. The reforms outlined in the referendum would propose a reduction in the working day, raise the surcharge for Sunday and holiday work from 75% to 100%, and mandate social security contributions for delivery app drivers.

The Senate is currently engaged in discussions surrounding a modified labor reform. Earlier this year, lawmakers narrowly rejected a 12-question version of the referendum in a tight 49 to 47 vote, which Petro labeled as fraudulent. As the clock ticks down, the Senate’s session must wrap up by June 20, putting additional pressure on both the Senate and the President.

Petro and his interior minister, Armando Benedetti, indicated that should the labor reform pass, the planned referendum would be canceled altogether. However, should the referendum proceed, it would require a majority approval from at least 13.5 million voters—approximately one-third of Colombia’s eligible electorate—to be considered valid.

Opposition parties have come out strongly against Petro’s decree, characterizing it as a potential coup and an infringement on the nation’s constitution. They argue that it undermines the established separation of powers across Colombia’s branches of government. Legal analysts further caution that Petro’s decree could draw legal challenges, including forthcoming scrutiny in the Constitutional Court.

Critics note that many of the social and economic reforms Petro, who took office in 2022 with promises to address long-standing inequality, aimed to enact have faced rejection from lawmakers. As Colombia prepares for presidential and legislative elections slated for the first half of 2026, the political climate remains tense and uncertain.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro is pushing for labor reforms through a referendum, hoping to compel Senate action before the legislative session ends on June 20. The proposed changes have sparked partisan conflict, with opposition claiming the decree could undermine constitutional principles. If successful, the referendum could empower voters to directly influence labor policy, yet it may also face significant legal hurdles. With looming elections in 2026, the outcome of this situation could have far-reaching implications for the future of Colombia’s governance and labor practices.

Original Source: www.yahoo.com