The first impressions caused by the appointment of Gloria Inés Ramírez as Minister of Labor of the Government of Gustavo Petro were of concern, since it is known that she has been part of unions, is an activist and militant of the left.
However, this Monday the official put into orbit a strong proposal that would greatly favor workers, mainly those who have night shifts.
Assuming that it is clear that in Colombia working days are 8 hours, For Ramírez, it is clear that the difference must be established between how far the daytime workday goes and how far the nighttime workday goes, which would mark a key course, because in this country, by having established a differential payment for overtime, the income of workers varies.
In accordance with Law 789 of 2022. the day shift until 9:00 pm Therefore, Minister Ramírez proposed lowering the day shift until 6:00 pm, which implies that employees begin to earn a night surcharge from that hour.
About this, Ramírez affirmed to Week that the working day is just one element.
“In Colombia the theme was reformed and the daytime shift was put on from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Well, I want to correct that. The daytime working hours will be from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm The night shift is from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am Within this concept, if the companies have to pay overtime, then what they pay them. But we cannot – for the sake of an economic process – take away fundamental labor rights from workers, such as the right to rest and study”, assured the minister to Semana.
So, as to whether the payment of night hours is made from 6:00 pm, Ramírez assured that “this will be one of the first tasks we will do.”
In relation to the Ministry of Labor presenting a labor reform project, the minister clarified that, “I am going to introduce a labor statute that develops what is established in the Political Constitution. We are going to strengthen training for work. SENA will occupy a central place in this Ministry of Labor because we need Colombia to be able to advance in youth employment”.
Another issue that Ramírez touched on is the payment of workers in the care economy and the salary difference between women and men.
On this, he explained that the wages of women compared to men have a difference between 14% and 27%.
“That is something we need to address. We also need to link the care economy, how are we going to make that unpaid work that -in general- women do, is recognized in the national accounts, but beyond that, that it has compensation funds, “he also noted. in dialogue with Week.
She added that she is willing to hold a national dialogue, but it cannot be ignored that there are very great responsibilities. For example, she underlined, in point 1 of the Final Peace Agreement there is a fundamental issue and it is the way in which fundamental rights will be given to peasants, in the first instance. “What are the relations of human rights with the company. I will ask what happens to the labor demands of displaced workers. There are many tasks we have.”
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