They asked the ILO to intervene because of the government’s alleged lack of interest: it would refuse to negotiate with employers and employees

The International Organization of Employers (IOE) has asked the International Labor Organization (ILO) to urgently intervene in Colombia, as confirmed by its Secretary Roberto Suárez. The manager highlighted his concern at the position taken by the national government to the effect that no progress had been made on the joint consultation tables; just when the labor reform is to be processed in the Congress of the Republic.

In a letter sent to ILO Director Gilbert Houngbo, which was replicated by various media outlets, Suárez stressed that the tripartite dialogue in the workplace has been interrupted, which is therefore a cause for concern in his view. employers and workers. And he mentioned how other priorities were adopted without adopting the constitutional mechanisms for consultation that must exist between the state, business organizations and unions.

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The National Coordinating Commission for Labor and Wage Policy was not called to the hearing and carry out genuine consultation as stipulated in Article 56 of the national constitutionin accordance with the ILO Convention 144 ratified by Colombia,” the manager noted, which would be a clear example of how social dialogue is weakening in the country, despite being one of the pillars on paper. current administration.

In the same sense, the secretary expressed how the executive attempted to pass major reforms such as the health care system and the pension systemwithout even creating avenues to promote dialogue between employers, employees and government. This action not only ignores workers and employers but could have negative effects on all formal workers. According to the document.

Concerns about the commitment of the Ministry of Labor arose after the head of the OIE expressed this Spaces for dialogue have not been convened for several months, raising concerns that the reforms will be approved without including analysis that provides greater context. Similarly, he highlighted how the National Association of Entrepreneurs of Colombia (Andi) was excluded from important discussion spaces such as the National Council for Occupational Risks.

That is, without taking into account – according to him – the opinions and needs of employers “In that sense. The Colombian government is promoting a labor reform that does not address the structural problems of the labor market“, it was specified in the letter, which also demanded an intervention before the government in order to restore social dialogue processes in accordance with international obligations; specifically according to the provisions of Convention 144.

And according to what Suárez said, this new labor reform article that is slowly moving through the House of Representatives has not been socialized; unlike the first text. That is why it is required “to restore social dialogue processes as quickly as possible in accordance with internationally agreed obligations.”

It should be noted that this panorama could lead to the implementation of initiatives that become a problem instead of a solution, with the aim of improving the conditions of workers through inclusive and constitutional consultation activities. And above all, it brought, as the union leader warned “lack of knowledge of the most representative social partners”and that the concerns of the proletariat are ignored.