Labor reform: If you meet this requirement at work, you can have one paid day off every 6 months.

Last week, the Congress of the Republic approved the labor reform of President Gustavo Petro's government, which brings several changes and new benefits for workers in Colombia.

One of the most important benefits for employees is related to the frequent use of bicycles as a means of transportation to and from the workplace.

Specifically, this benefit was approved in Article 15 of the labor reform , and an employee can only access it if they certify their use of a bicycle as a means of transportation.

If this certification is obtained, the worker will be entitled to one paid day of rest for every six months of work. The exact date of this rest must be agreed upon with the company.

According to the labor reform, this benefit applies to employees of private companies and workers governed by the Substantive Labor Code.

The labor reform approved by Congress also includes other benefits for workers. For example, the night shift will now begin at 7:00 p.m.

This means that working after that time will incur a 35 percent surcharge (today's time is 9:00 p.m.). It will take effect six months after President Gustavo Petro signs the labor reform law.

Additionally, work on mandatory rest days or holidays will be compensated with a 100 percent surcharge on the regular salary in proportion to the hours worked (currently the payment is 75 percent).

Its implementation will be gradual as follows:

In addition to the paid leave already provided for in cases of suffrage or serious domestic disaster, among others, companies will be required to grant paid leave to attend urgent or scheduled medical appointments with specialists when the employer is informed with prior certification, including in cases related to endometriosis. The reform also includes leave to attend school obligations.

The labor reform also defines the different types of teleworking and establishes that companies must pay a connectivity allowance to their teleworkers who earn less than two current legal monthly minimum wages, in lieu of transportation allowance.

Additionally, domestic workers must be bound by a written employment contract, in any form, respecting the applicable guarantees and rights, in accordance with existing labor standards and recorded in the Integrated Contribution Settlement Form (PILA).