Labor Reform Sparks Concerns: Will Night Surcharge Cripple Colombia's Small Businesses?

The Colombian Senate recently approved a new labor reform, raising concerns among small and micro-businesses. One key point of contention is the night surcharge, which Senator Juan Felipe Lemus of the Partido de la U argues will disproportionately harm these businesses. "This reform will generate additional costs," Lemus stated in a Noticias Caracol interview, "and micro and small businesses, in my opinion, lack the capacity to absorb them." He cited statistics showing significant job losses in recent years, warning that the new law could exacerbate this trend. Lemus called for government incentives and microcredit programs to help these businesses adapt, expressing concern that current resources are insufficient to address the scale of the problem. The interview highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the reform and the need for comprehensive support measures to protect vulnerable businesses.