Latest news with #laborreform
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Colombia's Senate approves labor bill that would mean more pay and protections for workers
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's Senate on Tuesday night approved a labor bill that is expected to grant workers more overtime pay while making it harder for companies to hire employees on short-term contracts. The bill's approval comes as tensions have been increasing between the Senate and President Gustavo Petro over reforms to the economy and health system that have polarized the nation's politics and tested the separation of powers in Colombia's fragile democracy. Petro has repeatedly accused Congress of blocking his reforms and last week issued a decree that called on Colombia's elections agency, the National Registrar, to organize a referendum on labor laws. The agency said Tuesday it would wait for Colombian courts to decide if it was legal for it to organize the referendum, because the Senate had voted against the referendum last month. Petro has threatened to change Colombia's constitution, by calling for a constituent assembly, if his request for a referendum on labor laws is not granted, and in a post on X Tuesday, said that those who did not approve the referendum were committing 'treason." Opposition leaders have accused the president of developing an authoritarian streak, as he tries to override decisions made by Congress. The labor bill approved by Colombia's Senate on Tuesday includes many of the changes to Colombia's labor laws proposed by Petro's party, the Historical Pact. It increases surcharges paid to employees who work Sundays and also makes companies pay more for late evening shifts, which is likely to apply to many retailers, restaurants and hotels. The bill also says delivery apps must formally hire delivery workers as freelancers or as full-time employees and help to pay for their health insurance. Business associations in Colombia oppose the changes, arguing they will raise the cost of employing people and could ultimately increase unemployment. Currently, 56% of Colombian workers labor with no contracts, in what is known as the informal economy. Economists expect the reforms to push more people into informality, while supporters of the bill argue they are just pushing for the restoration of rights workers had in the early 1990s, before Colombia began to make labor laws more flexible. The Senate and House of Representatives must now reconcile the differences in the bills each chamber drafted and then agree on a final version of the bill. Petro wrote in a message on X that he will continue to push for the referendum until legislators from both chambers have voted on a final bill.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Colombia's Senate approves labor bill that would mean more pay and protections for workers
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's Senate on Tuesday night approved a labor bill that is expected to grant workers more overtime pay while making it harder for companies to hire employees on short-term contracts. The bill's approval comes as tensions have been increasing between the Senate and President Gustavo Petro over reforms to the economy and health system that have polarized the nation's politics and tested the separation of powers in Colombia's fragile democracy. Petro has repeatedly accused Congress of blocking his reforms and last week issued a decree that called on Colombia's elections agency, the National Registrar, to organize a referendum on labor laws. The agency said Tuesday it would wait for Colombian courts to decide if it was legal for it to organize the referendum, because the Senate had voted against the referendum last month. Petro has threatened to change Colombia's constitution, by calling for a constituent assembly, if his request for a referendum on labor laws is not granted, and in a post on X Tuesday, said that those who did not approve the referendum were committing 'treason." Opposition leaders have accused the president of developing an authoritarian streak, as he tries to override decisions made by Congress. The labor bill approved by Colombia's Senate on Tuesday includes many of the changes to Colombia's labor laws proposed by Petro's party, the Historical Pact. It increases surcharges paid to employees who work Sundays and also makes companies pay more for late evening shifts, which is likely to apply to many retailers, restaurants and hotels. The bill also says delivery apps must formally hire delivery workers as freelancers or as full-time employees and help to pay for their health insurance. Business associations in Colombia oppose the changes, arguing they will raise the cost of employing people and could ultimately increase unemployment. Currently, 56% of Colombian workers labor with no contracts, in what is known as the informal economy. Economists expect the reforms to push more people into informality, while supporters of the bill argue they are just pushing for the restoration of rights workers had in the early 1990s, before Colombia began to make labor laws more flexible. The Senate and House of Representatives must now reconcile the differences in the bills each chamber drafted and then agree on a final version of the bill. Petro wrote in a message on X that he will continue to push for the referendum until legislators from both chambers have voted on a final bill. The Associated Press
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Colombia's Senate approves labor bill that would mean more pay and protections for workers
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's Senate on Tuesday night approved a labor bill that is expected to grant workers more overtime pay while making it harder for companies to hire employees on short-term contracts. The bill's approval comes as tensions have been increasing between the Senate and President Gustavo Petro over reforms to the economy and health system that have polarized the nation's politics and tested the separation of powers in Colombia's fragile democracy. Petro has repeatedly accused Congress of blocking his reforms and last week issued a decree that called on Colombia's elections agency, the National Registrar, to organize a referendum on labor laws. The agency said Tuesday it would wait for Colombian courts to decide if it was legal for it to organize the referendum, because the Senate had voted against the referendum last month. Petro has threatened to change Colombia's constitution, by calling for a constituent assembly, if his request for a referendum on labor laws is not granted, and in a post on X Tuesday, said that those who did not approve the referendum were committing 'treason.' Opposition leaders have accused the president of developing an authoritarian streak, as he tries to override decisions made by Congress. The labor bill approved by Colombia's Senate on Tuesday includes many of the changes to Colombia's labor laws proposed by Petro's party, the Historical Pact. It increases surcharges paid to employees who work Sundays and also makes companies pay more for late evening shifts, which is likely to apply to many retailers, restaurants and hotels. The bill also says delivery apps must formally hire delivery workers as freelancers or as full-time employees and help to pay for their health insurance. Business associations in Colombia oppose the changes, arguing they will raise the cost of employing people and could ultimately increase unemployment. Currently, 56% of Colombian workers labor with no contracts, in what is known as the informal economy. Economists expect the reforms to push more people into informality, while supporters of the bill argue they are just pushing for the restoration of rights workers had in the early 1990s, before Colombia began to make labor laws more flexible. The Senate and House of Representatives must now reconcile the differences in the bills each chamber drafted and then agree on a final version of the bill. Petro wrote in a message on X that he will continue to push for the referendum until legislators from both chambers have voted on a final bill.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Tunisia: Head of State calls for sustainable solutions to social security fund financing
Tunis - President Kaïs Saïed met on Monday at the Carthage Palace with Minister of Social Affairs Issam Lahmar, ahead of his departure for Geneva to take part in meetings of the International Labour Organization (ILO). According to a statement from the Presidency of the Republic, the Head of State started the meeting by recalling that the ILO was founded under the Treaty of Versailles and has since evolved into a platform for social dialogue. He emphasized that "the ILO Constitution states in its preamble that lasting global peace is impossible without social justice," underscoring the importance of justice both within nations and at the international level. President Saïed also stressed the need to find sustainable solutions for financing Tunisia's social security funds. He underlined that "any legislative reform in the labor sector must be rooted in justice and equity, in order to fulfill the aspirations of the Tunisian people—both in the public and private sectors." © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Colombia's president bypasses lawmakers and issues decree to let voters decide on labor reform
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday 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. The decree fulfilled Petro's threat to Congress to put his labor system overhaul before voters should senators not approve the 12-question referendum themselves. He issued the measure in a tense political climate following the Saturday shooting of opposition senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay during a public event. The referendum has become the crux of long-running tensions between the executive and legislative branches. After Congress rejected Petro's labor reform twice, most recently in March, he sent lawmakers a 12-question referendum proposal on May 1 as Colombian law requires that the Senate rule on the advisability of referendums. The legislative body two weeks later voted 49-47 against the measure, prompting Petro to accuse lawmakers of fraud. Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, has accused Congress of working against the interest of workers and has asked them to demonstrate across the country. The referendum's questions include whether workers should receive double pay if they work during holidays; whether daytime workdays should end at 6 p.m.; and whether open-ended contracts should be offered to workers to prioritize job stability. The disagreements between Petro and Congress date back to the start of his term in 2022, but they have heightened as he seeks to consolidate his legacy ahead of next year's legislative and presidential elections. Uribe remained in critical condition Wednesday following his shooting in broad daylight Saturday during a political rally in the capital, Bogota. Authorities investigating the motive have not ruled out the possibility that it was a targeted attack on the opposition. They are also considering whether it was an attempt to destabilize the current government, or retaliation by illegal armed groups. In anticipation of court challenges, Petro on Wednesday said his government will send the decree to Colombia's Constitutional Court for review. At the same time, the Council of State is considering a lawsuit seeking to annul the Senate's vote.
