Colombia’s labor unions and social organizations call national strike on November 19

Colombia's leading labor unions and numerous civil society groups have announced a nationwide strike on November 19, targeting the government of Abelardo de la Espriella and his proposed tax reform bill. The unions assert that the administration is dismantling the social, environmental, trade union, and labor rights established during Gustavo Petro's administration, and is ceding sovereignty to the United States.

Similar to the previous administrations of Duque and Carrasquilla, the government aims to plunder the nation's wealth and favor the ultra-rich through its "economic rescue" bill. This legislation imposes a 19% VAT on food and essential goods, raises income taxes, increases health contributions, and reduces corporate capital income tax, while eliminating the wealth tax in 2031 and lowering capital gains tax for certain investments.

The civil society organizations have also accused the government of seeking special powers to facilitate the privatization of state-owned companies, such as the oil firm Ecopetrol. They have joined forces with the main opposition party, the Historic Pact, to oppose the fascist regime and actively participate in the National Strike on November 19.

This strike marks a new phase in addressing the growing discontent of the populace, which was also demonstrated through the successful national mobilization on October 14. The objective of this collective action is to confront the government's regressive measures, uphold hard-fought rights, and oppose the deepening of the neoliberal and authoritarian agenda.

The last national strike took place in 2021 when labor unions and their allies from civil society halted parts of the country for months due to a tax reform proposal by former President Ivan Duque.