Colombia’s Senate has approved a comprehensive labor reform bill championed by President Gustavo Petro, advancing critical protections for workers and regulating precarious contracts. The legislation now moves to reconciliation with the House before becoming law.

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Senate Endorses Petro’s Progressive Labor Agenda

After weeks of intense debate and political tension, the Colombian Senate approved President Gustavo Petro’s labor reform bill, incorporating all the key proposals from the executive branch. The reform, hailed by labor unions and social movements, seeks to address long-standing issues of job insecurity and inadequate worker protections.

With 57 votes in favor and 31 against, the bill marks a significant legislative achievement. However, it must still be reconciled with the version approved by the House of Representatives before the legislative session ends on June 20. Two bicameral subcommittees will work to harmonize the text for final approval.

Key Provisions: Strengthening Workers’ Rights and Stability

Atención🚨: Aprobada por el senado de la república la Reforma Laboral

Estos fueron los artículos aprobados y rechazados hoy 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/AGTzaxrlov

— teleSUR Colombia (@teleSURColombia) June 17, 2025

The text reads: Attention🚨: Labor Reform Approved by the Senate of the Republic
These were the articles approved and rejected today

The approved reform includes several important articles that improve labor conditions:

-Article 12: Establishes a maximum workday of 8 hours and a 42-hour workweek, allowing daily flexibility between 4 and 9 hours without extra pay if the total weekly hours are respected. Exceptions are made for minors, continuous shifts, and hazardous work.

-Article 15: Mandates 100% overtime pay for work performed on Sundays and holidays, with phased implementation—80% in 2025, 90% in 2026, and full 100% by 2027.

-Article 11: Sets the start of the night shift premium at 7 p.m. for all companies, rejecting any exclusion of microenterprises from this benefit.

-Article 23: Grants apprenticeships formal labor contracts for up to three years, ensuring apprentices receive full minimum wage during practice periods and partial payment during study phases, along with access to social security benefits.

-Article 25: Requires companies to pay a penalty equivalent to 1.5 minimum wages for each apprentice position not filled, eliminating previous exemptions related to the availability of SENA (National Learning Service) offers.

-Article 62: Obligates companies and the state to protect labor rights during Colombia’s energy transition and decarbonization processes, including plans for closures, incentives, and worker retraining.

Articles Rejected: Maintaining Protections Against Precarious Work

Some proposals were rejected during the Senate debate, including:

-Articles 37 and 38: These would have allowed part-time and hourly contracts, creating a special category for low-income independent workers. Their rejection preserves current protections against precarious employment.

-Article 76: Related to formalizing labor rights for cargo and passenger transport workers, this article was eliminated but will be reviewed again during the reconciliation process with the House.

The rejection of these articles reflects ongoing negotiations and differing views within Congress on how to balance labor flexibility and worker protections.

The labor reform’s approval in the Senate represents a victory for President Petro and the progressive sectors supporting his agenda. It responds to widespread demands from workers, unions, and social movements for greater job security and fair labor conditions.

The government faces challenges from opposition lawmakers and business groups who have expressed concerns about the reform’s impact on the labor market. Nevertheless, Petro’s administration has emphasized dialogue and democratic processes, including the possibility of a national referendum if necessary.

The reconciliation process between the Senate and the House will be decisive in finalizing the reform’s content before the legislative session concludes on June 20.

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