From This Date the Night Shift Would Begin at 7 p.m. If the Labor Reform Is Approved

Labor and employment attorney Camilo Cuervo was interviewed by Blu Radio about a measure in Colombia's labor reform that would change the night shift schedule. Under Article 13 of the reform, the night shift would begin at 7 p.m.; currently, it starts at 9 p.m. It is estimated that adding an additional two hours to the shift corresponds to a 35 percent salary increase. Mr. Cuervo pointed out the sectors most affected by this change, including the entertainment and hotel industries, which would face a significant uptick in their operating costs. He also cautioned about the long-term effects of said cost increases.

"The 35 percent surcharge beginning at 7 p.m. will raise the price of night shift operations, which inevitably will be translated to consumers, who will see an increase in prices for these services," he said. "Increasing labor costs in this way could revert the advances in formalization of employment and elevate the informality of a market that already faces economic challenges."

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