Petro’s labour reform referendum suspended by Colombia’s Council of State
Al Jazeera6 days
Colombia Approves Labor Reform, Petro Withdraws Referendum
Above: Gustavo Petro (C) speaks during an event in Medellín on June 21, 2025. Image copyright: Edinson Arroyo/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
This is a win for Colombia's working-class people as well as for President Petro and the progressive sector that supports him. Despite the Council of State's attempt to block the people's right to decide on labor protections, Congress ultimately approved the reform on time.
Right narrative
This radical labor reform will have dire consequences for Colombia — both directly and indirectly. It will increase labor costs, discourage formal hiring, and cause further unemployment, and the legislative branch has kowtowed to Petro's authoritarian threats.