Colombian companies are increasingly breaking labor standards. The labor and social security inspectors in the country imposed 1,835 sanctions on companies last year, which represents an increase of 6 percent compared to those imposed in 2021. In addition, the amount of the infractions reached 55,463 million pesos, 64 percent more than in the same period of the previous year.
(Also read: ‘There are 75,000 subsidies from Mi Casa already guaranteed’: minivivienda)
The greatest focus of the inspections is concentrated on companies in the manufacturing industry, construction, transportation, surveillance and private security, commerce, and accommodation and food services.
The sanctions that increased the most from one year to the next were those of violation of occupational health regulations, followed by non-payment of social benefits and evasion and circumvention of the system.
Because a process of this type usually lasts two or three years, Juan Pablo López, managing partner of the firm López & Asociados, He says that the increase in sanctions may be due to the health emergency that occurred with the start of the pandemic and to greater requirements that companies have with the current system of safety and health at work.
(It may interest you: The bad experience that allows financing the Government with the issuance of tickets)
The main focus of the inspections is concentrated on companies in the manufacturing industry, construction, transportation, surveillance and private security, among others.
This system varies depending on the hazards of the operation and the processes of each company, as well as the size of the companies, the inputs, the raw materials and the products developed.
There are also sanctions for not paying the minimum wage, the premium, nighttime surcharges, layoffs or the staffing that some companies have. Likewise, for unauthorized dismissal, closure or suspension of companies, for refusing to negotiate with union organizations or for violating the collective agreement.
The labor portfolio also sets fines for fatal work accidents or, failing that, for not reporting them. Also for violating the legal maximum working hours, not paying vacations or having bad labor outsourcing practices.
sanctioned companies
Typically, most companies have only one penalty. The largest amount in 2022 managed by the Sub-directorate of Territorial Management of the Ministry of Labor, with a cut-off of March 2, is the one imposed on the Buenaventura company that provides public sewerage and water aqueduct services, Hydropacific. One was imposed for 2,000 million pesos for dismissal, closing or unauthorized suspension.
(Also: ISA’s investment that will go to Brazil due to «lack of opportunities in Colombia»).
The largest amount is the one imposed on the Buenaventura company that provides public sewerage and water aqueduct services, Hidropacífico
The second most valuable was Copservir, for refusing to negotiate with union organizations (1,520 million pesos)and the third, to the company Vives Castro & Cía., for violation of the collective agreement (1,420 million pesos).
For example, the company Corteva has another for labor intermediation that reaches 1,000 million pesos; Bavaria, another for 800 million pesos, for violating the collective agreement, and the Attorney General’s Office itself has one for failing to comply with occupational health regulations (500 million pesos).
A dozen hospitals in the country also appear sanctioned, the majority, for violating occupational health regulations, such as the Alma Mater de Antioquia hospital or the Puerto López hospital.
According to the labor portfolio, to date there are 1,164 labor and social security inspectors linked to the Ministry of Labor in charge of monitoring companies so that employees are safe.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS