Petro Moves Ahead With Labor Referendum Despite Rising Violence

President Gustavo Petro signed a decree for a labor-rights referendum as Colombia grapples with a surge in armed attacks.

The referendum would ask voters to weigh in on boosting overtime pay, doubling Sunday and holiday wages, and granting special rights to farm and domestic workers, among other measures.

Petro moved to decree the referendum after his bill to boost labor reform was rejected by congress earlier this year amid warnings from business groups that it would increase unemployment and informality.

A more moderate version of the original bill is currently being debated by congress. Petro said on X the ...