Senate board rejects suspending Karin Law; President Kast open to improvements

The Senate's board, comprising Paulina Núñez (RN) and Iván Moreira (UDI), has rejected a proposal to suspend the Karin Law for five years, stating that the bill presented by ruling party deputies is misguided. In a public statement, Núñez and Moreira emphasized that the Karin Law was approved with broad and majority support in the National Congress, reflecting a political and institutional consensus on the need to prevent, investigate, and sanction workplace harassment, sexual harassment, and violence. They acknowledged that, like any recent legislation, its implementation may require adjustments and improvements. However, they argued this does not justify suspending a rule that represents a significant advancement in protecting individuals' rights. The board added that efforts should focus on modifying and refining the regulations, strengthening the admissibility requirements for complaints, and defining more rigorous standards for their submission to ensure sufficient evidence for a formal investigation. This week, deputies from the ruling party introduced a bill proposing modifications to the Karin Law, but suggested suspending it for five years during the legislative process. Paulina Núñez stated on social media, "Don't count on my vote to suspend this law. All governments have improved regulations; they are within their rights, but we cannot leave unprotected those who only had the Karin Law to safeguard their rights." From Colombia, President José Antonio Kast commented that laws can be perfected, noting progress in security and investment. "In labor laws, we can also analyze different norms and seek how to improve certain situations," Kast added, recalling the work of the tripartite council currently proposing changes to the law. The President affirmed that parliamentary proposals are always welcomed and that debates in commissions or proposals from the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate will be analyzed. He believes they should always be debated with a high-minded approach, safeguarding the purpose of the enacted norm. "A norm was enacted here to prevent abuses of various kinds. That is the objective of the law. When someone misuses that law, they harm everyone. Therefore, these are issues that must be constantly analyzed to perfect what is appropriate and aim for the law's objective when it was approved," he stated. Labor lawyer Francisca Montenegro told Cooperativa that the Karin Law requires modifications beyond the regulations to enhance the Labor Directorate's work in this area.

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the Karin Law was approved with broad and majority support in the National Congress, reflecting a political and institutional consensus on the need to prevent, investigate, and sanction workplace harassment, sexual harassment, and violence.