BOGOTA, Colombia — In a significant move to sidestep legislative hurdles, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has signed a decree calling for a referendum on pivotal changes to the nation’s labor laws. This move comes after Congress repeatedly rejected the proposed reforms. The referendum, slated for August, will ask voters to weigh in on a series of critical labor issues, including the establishment of an eight-hour workday.
Petro’s decree is a direct response to the legislative body’s failure to pass his reform proposals. This latest development adds to the existing political tension following the recent shooting of opposition senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay at a public gathering. The attack has further strained relations between the executive and legislative branches.
The proposed referendum has become the focal point of ongoing disagreements between President Petro and Congress. After twice rejecting the labor reforms, Congress saw a 49-47 vote against in March, leading Petro to accuse the body of undermining worker interests. Under Colombian law, the Senate is required to consider the advisability of referendums. Petro submitted the 12-question proposal on May 1, which was subsequently dismissed, intensifying tensions.
As Colombia’s first left-leaning president, Petro has argued that the legislative body is not acting in the best interest of workers. He has urged citizens to rally in support of the proposed changes. The referendum will pose questions related to labor conditions, such as the possibility of double pay for holiday work, the end of standard work hours at 6 p.m., and the prioritization of job stability through open-ended contracts.
The discord between Petro’s administration and Congress harks back to the beginning of his term in 2022. The conflict has become more pronounced as Petro seeks to solidify his political platform in advance of the next elections in the upcoming year.
Meanwhile, Senator Uribe, who was shot during a daylight political rally in Bogota, remains in critical condition. While authorities continue to probe the motive, they have not dismissed the theory of a targeted attack against the opposition. Other potential motives include attempts to destabilize the government or actions from illegal armed groups.
In anticipation of legal challenges to his decree, Petro announced plans to seek a review from Colombia’s Constitutional Court. Concurrently, the Council of State is reviewing a lawsuit that aims to nullify the Senate’s previous vote.