Colombian President Gustavo Petro signed a decree on Wednesday calling for a national referendum on labour reforms, aiming to pressure the Senate into voting on key proposals before the legislative session ends on June 20.
The proposed referendum includes measures to shorten the workday, raise the pay rate for Sunday and holiday shifts from 75% to 100%, and mandate social security contributions for app-based delivery drivers.
The Senate is currently debating a revised labour bill after narrowly rejecting Petro’s earlier 12-question referendum proposal in May by a 49–47 vote — a result Petro has since claimed was marred by fraud.
Petro and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti stated that if the Senate passes the labour reform, the referendum will be cancelled. If held, the referendum would require each measure to be approved by a majority of at least 13.5 million voters, which is one-third of the electoral roll, to be valid.
Opposition lawmakers denounced the decree as unconstitutional, likening it to a power grab and accusing Petro of undermining Colombia’s separation of powers. Legal experts and political analysts also warned that the move could face serious challenges in the Constitutional Court.
Since taking office in 2022, Petro has struggled to pass many of his flagship social and economic reforms aimed at reducing inequality. With legislative and presidential elections set for 2026, this referendum could significantly shape the country’s political landscape.
Reuterss/s.s