Colombia: The Labour Reform is Moving Forward in the Colombian Congress

The Labour Reform has undergone two debates in the plenary session of the House of Representatives, with two additional debates pending in the Senate. The main discussed issues are:

• Fixed-term employment contract: It must not exceed four years, considering all extensions. This modification would impact more than 2 million employees who are currently working under a fixed-term contract.
• Disciplinary Due Process: Employees have the right to receive active guidance throughout the disciplinary process.
• Maximum Legal Working Hours: The gradual reduction continues, aiming to reach 42 hours per week by 2026. Additionally, the obligation to provide one working day per semester for employees to spend time with their families remains in effect.
• Apprenticeship Contract: It will no longer be considered a special contract for hiring apprentices and will instead become a special fixed-term labour contract. This change will increase labour costs for employers and alters the purpose of the apprenticeship contract, which is intended to train students for the occupations needed by the productive sector rather than to provide a service.

An additional update will be provided as soon as progress is made in Congress.

For additional information on any matter related to labour issues in Colombia, please contact Angélica María Carrión Barrero (Partner) of López & Asociados at angelica.carrion@lopezasociados.net or visit www.lopezasociados.net

For more information, please contact Joseph Granato, Communications Manager at L&E Global at joseph.granato@leglobal.org