Last Tuesday, the Plenary of the Colombian Senate endorsed in its last debate the initiative that satisfied to a great extent the demands of the Government.

The maximum legal working day was set at eight hours a day and 42 hours a week, with flexibility to distribute it between five and six days, and a labor contract was established for the members of the National Apprenticeship Service.

On the other hand, the surcharge for Sunday and holiday work was increased to 100% of the ordinary salary, to be implemented gradually: 80% as of July 2025, 90% in 2026 and 100% in 2027.

The partial or hourly contract, previously defined by President Gustavo Petro as a form of neo-slavery, was also eliminated.

Subsequently, the norm was submitted to a conciliation process due to its differences with the one previously approved by the House of Representatives.

The legislators who were part of the committee that would review how to unify both bills chose to prioritize the one that received the consent of the Senate.

Thus, during the previous day, both chambers of Congress approved the conciliation text, with which the legislation is ready for presidential sanction.

jrr/arm/jha/ifs