Unions call for a sit-in to support labor reform

Colombia's labor unions have called for another protest in Bogotá next Monday to support President Gustavo Petro's labor reform. This week, Petro decreed a controversial referendum for popular approval after Congress rejected it.

With the support of the government, the call for this protest coincides with the decisive phase of the new version of the labor reform in the Senate , which must conclude discussion on the last 19 articles pending approval that same day. See more: 'Unsustainability of public finances': reactions to the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework

This is a different version of the labor reform that Petro initially presented to the House of Representatives and which was later defeated by a committee in the Upper House.

This second version was revived after the full Senate rejected Petro's proposal to call a referendum on his labor reform , leading the leftist president to issue a decree this week calling for the referendum on August 7.

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" We are advocating for a labor reform that restores rights, not something that takes away workers' rights ," said Jaime Arias, president of the Central Unitary Workers' Union (CUT). The call for the protest was shared on social media by Petro and other ministers in his office , demonstrating their support for the unions' initiative.

Arias emphasized that the protest at Plaza de Bolívar, in downtown Bogotá, is to " insist to the Senate of the Republic that it cannot continue approving regressive measures in the labor reform ." The union leader emphasized that the protest is to exert " very strong pressure because that day the fate of the labor reform will be decided ."

"We continue to strive for consensus, but never at the expense of the dignity of those whose work moves and sustains this country," said Minister of Labor Antonio Sanguino today.

See more: Labor reform: 75% approved, debate resumes Monday

Attention focused on the Senate

The Senate's Fourth Committee will discuss labor reform on Monday, addressing issues related to the maximum legal workday , holiday pay, apprenticeship contracts through the National Apprenticeship Service (SENA), and part-time work, which are the issues most strongly supported by the government. See more: The Attorney General's Office opened a preliminary investigation against Petro's ministers for the "decree"

After the Senate vote, the bill will go to conciliation because what is approved in that chamber is different from the text approved in the House of Representatives six months ago. Upon signing the so-called "decree" for the referendum, Petro warned that the only way he will reverse that proposal is for the Senate to finally approve the original version of his labor reform.

The protest is taking place one day after the "Great March of Silence," led by Colombian politicians and presidential candidates, in protest of the attack on presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay and in support of democracy and freedom.

EFE