Colombian President Gustavo Petro plans to hold a referendum on stalled health and labor reforms, criticizing the Senate for impeding public choice. He aims to enable citizens to determine their healthcare and employment rights directly, as his proposals continue to face legislative hurdles.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Tuesday his intention to call for a special election allowing voters to approve or reject stalled labor and health reforms. In a televised address, President Petro criticized the Senate for allegedly undermining public interests by siding with the elite, resulting in the blockage of his reform initiatives.
He urged his supporters to actively promote these reforms, stating, “We have searched in our constitution for a path that will enable people to make decisions without intermediaries.” He further emphasized, “Now the people must decide if they want to be slaves, or if they want to be free and respectable.”
This announcement follows a rejection from eight senators of his health reform during a critical committee vote. President Petro has faced consistent challenges in enacting legislation, primarily due to his party’s minority status within Congress.
During the 2022 presidential campaign, Petro pledged to revamp Colombia’s health system by dismantling insurance companies responsible for obligatory social security payments, aiming to establish a government agency for fund administration. His critics argue the reform would grant excessive authority to bureaucrats and contend that the government lacks the capability to manage numerous patients effectively.
Additionally, Petro’s labor reform efforts have struggled, as he seeks to enhance wages for night workers and impose stricter regulations on short-term employment contracts. The proposed “popular consultation” must secure a majority approval in the Senate for implementation, where voters will answer binary questions. To validate the results, at least one-third of registered voters must participate in the consultation.
In summary, President Gustavo Petro is advocating for a referendum to empower Colombian citizens in deciding on critical health and labor reforms stalled in Congress. His proposals aim to enhance worker rights and reform the health system, yet face significant opposition within the Senate. The upcoming special election will provide an opportunity for direct public engagement in these pivotal reforms.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
