The National Federation of Traders (Fenalco) has denounced that, if this reform is approved, the country would enter "a scenario of job destruction."

The National Federation of Merchants (Fenalco), which represents the trade and services sector in Colombia, has called on political representatives in the Senate to rectify "the poor management" of the majority in the House of Representatives and halt the labor reform, which will have a "negative effect" on labor productivity.

In a video, the president of the merchants, Jaime Alberto Cabal, has denounced that, if this reform is successful, Colombia would enter "a scenario of job destruction", which is why he has made this appeal to the senators.

"It is unfortunate that these congressmen are approving the articles of the bill. What has been done so far is irresponsible and we hope that the Senate of the Republic will rectify the poor handling of the bill by the majority of the representatives in the House," Cabal said.

According to the businessman, the cascade of increases in labour costs has unfortunately already begun in Colombia and no consideration has been given to what will happen to micro, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as to all employment in the country.

The most affected sectors would be commerce, bakeries, drugstores, restaurants, hotels, transport, logistics or security companies, among other activities in Colombia's economic life.

"If this law comes into force, it will have a negative effect on the productivity of companies," the representative of the merchants stressed.

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