PBI-Colombia accompanied CREDHOS marches on May Day in support of Popular Consultation and labour rights
Photo: CREDHOS marches in support of the popular consultation, May 1, 2025.
On May 1, the Regional Corporation for the Defense of Human Rights (CREDHOS), an organization accompanied by Peace Brigades International, posted on Facebook:
“FOR THE DIGNITY OF THE WORKING PEOPLE, WE SAY YES TO POPULAR CONSULTATION!
In the face of attempts by militarist and oligarchic sectors to curb peace, block reforms and deepen inequality, we make an urgent call for the unity of the social and popular movement.
Barrancabermeja lives a serious crisis of violence: more than 70 homicides, mostly young, have plunged the city in fear and pain. This reality cannot be solved with more taxes and militarization.
We reject the overdose on energy bills imposed by Governor Juvenal Diaz and supported by Mayor Jonathan Vásquez. This tax does not represent security, but a blow to peace and the pockets of the working people.”
Their full statement – available here – highlights: “We support the Popular Consultation as a legitimate mechanism for democratic participation that seeks to restore labor rights and guarantee decent conditions for workers.”
It also notes: “The surcharge on electricity … supposedly to strengthen the security strategy, is nothing more than a regressive war tax for peace and the economy of the people of Santander. The situation in the Magdalena Medio region of Santander demands comprehensive actions that overcome the vulnerable conditions of the communities most affected by the armed conflict, not permanent military intervention or the recycling of paramilitary practices in the pursuit of so-called security.”
Video still: CREDHOS president Ivan Madero marches in support of the popular consultation, May 1, 2025.
Photo: The march in Puerto Wilches in support of the Popular Consultation, May 1, 2025. Photo by CREDHOS.
Context
El Pais has reported: “The president [Gustavo Petro] has asked the Senate to endorse his call for a popular consultation* so that citizens can decide at the polls whether they support the labor reform that the Legislature rejected in April.”
The Spanish news agency EFE further explains: “The consultation, in order to occur, first has to pass a risky filter in Congress: the vote of the Senate, in which it does not have a majority. If the Upper House does not endorse it with 53 of its 105 votes, there will be no popular consultation. The second filter will be citizen participation. For it to be valid, at least 13.6 million people must participate in the vote, above the 11.2 million who voted for Petro in the 2022 runoff. If the threshold is exceeded, the questions with an affirmative answer will become a reality if they obtain half plus one of the valid votes.”
Infobae notes that since the President filed the request on May 1, 2025, the deadline for the Senate to approve it is June 1, 2025. That means the latest date for the popular consultation to take place would be September 1, 2025.
Petro became the president of Colombia on August 7, 2022. Under Colombian law, a president can also serve one four-year term. The next election is scheduled for May 31, 2026.
Labour movement support
The three main trade union confederations in Colombia support the popular consultation, notably the Unitary Central of Workers (CUT), the Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CTC) and the General Confederation of Labor (CGT). The National Union of Food Workers (Sinaltrainal) has also expressed its support for the popular consultation. Furthermore, the Oil Industry Workers Union (USO) supports the call for a popular consultation.
Instagram post from the National Union of University Workers and Employees of Colombia (SINTRAUNICOL):
“This is how May Day was experienced in Cali
With strength, unity and conviction, Sintraunicol Cali marched with thousands of workers to commemorate International Workers’ Day.
We vindicated our rights, raised our voices for labor dignity and supported the popular consultation as a democratic tool.
We continue in the struggle, with the working class at the forefront!”
Popular Consultation questions
*The 12 questions for the proposed Popular Consultation are:
- Do you agree that the day work lasts a maximum of 8 hours and is between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.?
- Do you agree with a 100% surcharge for work on Sunday or public holidays?
- Do you agree that micro, small and medium-sized productive enterprises, preferably associative, should receive preferential rates and incentives for their productive projects?
- Do you agree that people can have the necessary permits to attend medical treatments and leave for disabling menstrual periods?
- Do you agree that companies should hire at least 2 people with disabilities for every 100 workers?
- Do you agree that young apprentices from SENA and similar institutions should have an employment contract?
- Do you agree that workers on delivery platforms agree on their type of contract and are guaranteed the payment of social security?
- Do you agree with establishing a special labor regime for rural employers to guarantee labor rights and fair wages to agricultural workers?
- Do you agree with eliminating outsourcing and labor intermediation through union contracts that violate labor rights?
- Do you agree that domestic workers, community mothers, journalists, athletes, artists, drivers, among other informal workers, should be formalized or have access to social security?
- Do you agree to promote job stability through indefinite-term contracts as a general rule?
- Do you agree with setting up a special fund for the recognition of a pension bonus for peasants?
Accompaniment
Peace Brigades International has accompanied the Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS) since 1994.
We continue to follow this.
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