Colombian lawmakers reject Petro-backed labour reform
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FILE PHOTO: Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacts during the troop recognition ceremony for the newly appointed Minister of Defense, Pedro Sanchez, at the Jose Maria Cordova Military Cadet School in Bogota, Colombia, March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo
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BOGOTA - A Colombian Senate committee rejected on Tuesday a labour reform promoted by President Gustavo Petro, marking the latest setback to the leftist leader's efforts to pass economic and social legislation he promised to enact during his campaign.
The labor reform was a key initiative for Petro, who has argued that voters elected him to reduce inequality and poverty. A former legislator and mayor of the capital Bogota, Petro took office in 2022.
The bill, which the government said sought to improve worker conditions and expand protections, was sunk after eight of the 14 senators on the committee voted to reject it.
The reform has been proposed twice in Congress - the same committee rejected it in 2023, forcing the government to reintroduce the bill.
Petro's labour reform push sparked opposition from business associations due to higher labor costs the groups argued it would provoke.
The committee vote came the same day that thousands of people around the country marched in support of the reforms. Petro has also promised a referendum vote on the initiatives. REUTERS
