Impact of labor bill projects on the future of employment in Peru: debate in Congress on controversial measures.

In the workplace, the Congress of the Republic is debating a series of bills that could have a significant impact on the future of employment in our country. With an economic context marked by rising unemployment and persistent underemployment, the discussion of these initiatives takes on special relevance. Among the proposals that are in advanced stages of debate are those seeking to reduce the workday or increase costs for hiring personnel. For example, there is the possibility of establishing a 35% surcharge for workers performing night shifts, as well as including mealtime as part of the workday. However, these proposals have generated mixed opinions. On one hand, there are those who believe that measures like these could negatively impact productivity and operational costs of companies, making it harder to create formal and productive employment. On the other hand, it is argued that certain initiatives could benefit workers by ensuring fairer working conditions. Furthermore, there is a need to establish technical parameters for updating the minimum wage, with proposals aiming to link this increase to variables such as inflation, unemployment, and productivity. However, it is warned that the approval of these types of measures could face political obstacles and not necessarily solve the issue of informal employment in the country. Additionally, there have been proposals to allow workers to access 100% of their Severance Pay (CTS) as a measure to tackle inflation and low economic growth. While these proposals may be seen as a way to provide relief to workers in times of economic difficulty, concerns are also raised about the long-term impact on the job protection of employees. Amidst this landscape, consulted specialists emphasize the importance of addressing the structural challenges of the Peruvian labor market in a comprehensive manner, prioritizing formalizing employment and promoting conditions that foster productivity and sustainable growth. Despite the extensive legislative agenda on labor matters, there is a need to consider measures that go beyond surface-level aspects and address the root causes of the issues affecting the labor market in the country.