GNV News 2025–6–27

On 2025–6–25, in Colombia, the labor reform bill promoted by President Gustavo Petro was finally enacted.

The bill consists of 70 provisions aimed at reducing labor exploitation. Key points include premium pay for night work (19:00 to 6:00 the next day), wages for work on Sundays and holidays rising to double the regular rate (phased in, to be fully implemented in 2027), the formalization of employment for community mothers who provide care and education to neighborhood children and for domestic workers, students of the National Vocational Training Institute receiving employment contracts, a guaranteed minimum wage for medical student internships, protection of the rights of gig and platform workers, and the introduction of disability employment quotas. Furthermore, permanent contracts are established as the norm, and fixed-term contracts are limited to a maximum of 4 renewals, thereby promoting job stability. The bill emphasizes consideration for workers in socially vulnerable positions such as women, youth, and people with disabilities, making it groundbreaking from the perspectives of gender equality and social inclusion.

Before this historic approval, the Colombian Senate rejected the bill 2 times and there was pushback from the business sector. However, labor unions, student organizations, and peasant organizations that opposed this decision by the ruling class, at President Petro’s call, staged nationwide protests and strikes; in addition, on 6/12 President Petro signed a presidential decree to hold a referendum to pressure the Senate. This move prompted reconsideration in the Senate and, after intense debate, approval was finally achieved there. On 6/20, President Petro withdrew the referendum that had become unnecessary due to the bill’s passage. After approval in the lower house, on 6/25 President Petro signed the bill into law. Following the approval of the labor reform, President Petro is calling for a referendum to draft a new constitution.

Learn more about the reforms led by President Petro in Colombia → “Colombia’s rapidly advancing reforms”

President Petro signing the labor reform law (Photo: Presidencia de Colombia / Flickr [PDM 1.0])