Colombia’s president Juan Manuel Santos Tuesday signed a law to financially assist workers who have lost their jobs.
The earnings protection law aims to ensure the social security and basic needs of the unemployed are met along with helping them back into employment.
Santos said that the bill was “an important step towards a more just society.”
The new law provides advice and training to the unemployed while offering financial support for job seekers.
Santos said the bill would “take away people’s fears,” as it will pay their social security, pensions, family allowances and health benefits, which are of “immense benefit for anyone who loses a job.”
The president reiterated his commitment to creating more formal jobs for Colombians, which has been on Santos’ agenda since taking office in August 2010.
Despite advances in job creation over the past year, Colombia has the highest unemployment rate in Latin America.
Unemployment in Colombia
Sources
- Santos sanciono la ley de proteccion el trabajador cesante (El Espectador)
- Presidente Santos sanciono ley de proteccion cesante (Presidencia.gov)