Colombian lawmakers reject Petro-backed labor reform

By Luis Jaime Acosta

A Colombian Senate committee rejected on Tuesday a labor reform promoted by President Gustavo Petro, marking the latest setback to the leftist leader's efforts to pass economic and social legislation he promised to enact during his campaign.

The labor reform was a key initiative for Petro, who says he has a mandate from voters to reduce inequality and poverty. A former legislator and mayor of the capital Bogota, Petro took office in 2022.

The bill, which the government said sought to improve worker conditions and expand protections, was sunk after eight of the 14 senators on the committee voted to reject it.

The reform has been proposed twice in Congress. The same committee rejected it in 2023, forcing the government to reintroduce the bill.

Petro's labor reform push sparked opposition from business associations due to higher labor costs the groups argued it would create.

The committee vote came the same day that thousands of people around the country marched in support of his promised reforms.

Petro has pledged a referendum on both the labor reform and a long-stalled healthcare reform in the face of a lack of support in Congress.

"The people must rebel with the greatest possible force. We do not accept tyrannies," Petro told a crowd before the commission rejected the labor reform.

Petro secured approval in mid-2024 for a reform to the pension system that was challenged before the Constitutional Court, which could overturn it.