Colombia government to withdraw call for labour referendum after lawmakers back reform
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Colombia's President Gustavo Petro stands on the day of the inauguration of Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, who was reelected for a second term, in Quito, Ecuador, May 24, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo
A referendum to seek voter approval for a raft of labour reforms in Colombia will be withdrawn after the Senate approved a modified and much-debated version of the changes, leftist President Gustavo Petro said on Friday.
Petro had decreed the referendum last week, saying it would move ahead unless a bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday adhered closely enough to what his government wants.
A high court later suspended Petro's decree.
"As I said, since the labour reform is now law, I will repeal the decree calling for the referendum, which is no longer necessary," Petro said on X.
Each measure in the referendum would have required approval from at least 13.5 million voters, a third of Colombia's electoral roll, to pass. REUTERS
