US Edition
Colombia's president bypasses lawmakers and issues decree to let voters decide on labor reform
- On June 11, 2025, Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro signed a decree in Bogota to hold a public referendum on labor reforms despite Senate opposition.
- Petro issued the decree after lawmakers rejected a 12-question referendum version in May by a 49 to 47 vote amid ongoing debate over modified labor reform.
- The referendum seeks to limit work hours, increase Sunday and holiday pay from 75% to 100%, and require social security for delivery app drivers, with at least 13.5 million votes needed to pass.
- Bombing attacks in Cali killed seven people recently, triggering security meetings led by Petro and warnings about violence linked to armed groups opposing reforms.
- The decree faces legal challenges and political opposition claiming it undermines constitutional separation of powers, while Petro said the referendum would be canceled if the reform passes in the Senate.
61 Articles
61 Articles
By deciding by decree and against the opinion of the Senate to organise a popular consultation on labour law, Gustavo Petro signs the end of the lull caused by the 7 June attack on a candidate for the next presidential election.
Colombia's President Petro now wants to launch his labour reform with the help of a referendum, while the right is instrumentalizing the assassination of its presidential candidate.
Colombia's Petro threatens labor reform by referendum as congressional deadline looms
Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday signed a decree to hold a referendum on labor reforms, an attempt to force the Senate to vote on a proposal on the matter before their session wraps up later this month.
Pivotal Day for Labor Reform and Presidential Decree Calling for Referendum in Colombia
A pivotal day for Colombian politics, as Congress must decide the fate of the revived labor reform, coinciding exactly with the date President Gustavo Petro had announced he would present the decree to call for a referendum. This referendum would allow citizens to vote on his proposed labor reform, which had been rejected by Congress. Amid growing polarization, Congress and the Government are clashing in these two key fronts, feeling the tense a…
Associated Press News
Colombia's president bypasses lawmakers and issues decree to let voters decide on labor reform
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has bypassed legislative opposition and signed a decree summoning voters to the polls in August to decide changes to the country’s labor laws, including whether workdays should be limited to eight hours.
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