Ministry of Labor insists on the ILO's labor reform and popular consultation

This Friday, June 6, Minister of Labor Antonio Sanguino called on delegations from ILO member countries, trade union organizations, multilateral organizations, and stakeholders in the labor world to support labor reform, during his plenary session of the International Labor Conference.

" The defense of labor rights in Colombia is not just an internal matter; it's another chapter in the global struggle for a new model of labor relations, centered on life, equity, and sustainability ," Sanguino stated. See more: The Ministry of Finance continues to juggle to avoid default: this is its plan.

According to the Ministry of Labor, the labor reform, which is promoted by the government of President Gustavo Petro, represents " a commitment to the dignity of workers. For decades, we have seen how fundamental rights have been weakened by processes of labor flexibility and precariousness . It is time to reverse this trend and build a model that puts people, their work and their well-being at the center ."

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Likewise, the head of that portfolio pointed out that this labor reform " represents the application of the ILO conventions and responds to the commitments assumed by Colombia within the framework of the Centenary Declaration of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the global call to promote social justice, decent work and formalization, recognizing that work is not a commodity , but must be assumed as a human achievement that allows for protection, the overcoming of inequalities, the expression of citizenship, democracy and equity ."

In his speech, Sanguino emphasized that the government is promoting labor reform through the Popular Consultation , and insisted that it is the most appropriate mechanism for citizen participation to achieve said reform.

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In turn, the Colombian minister highlighted the leadership of ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo for the progress made by the Global Coalition for Social Justice, of which Colombia is an active member and an integral part of the coordinating committee, which coordinates efforts to advance toward more just, equitable, and resilient societies.

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At the event, Sanguino recognized the ILO's work in promoting social protection, the determined fight against child labor, defending the rights of migrant workers, promoting social dialogue, freedom of association, and promoting just transitions and gender equality.

Thus, Colombia proposed that at the next ILO Regional Meeting of the Americas, to be held in the Dominican Republic, Latin America's contribution to a transition be recognized: " a path toward sustainable economies that does not abandon workers. Decent employment and climate action can go hand in hand ."

PORTFOLIO