Mass layoffs: when is it legal for companies in Colombia to do them?

TL;DR

Mass layoffs (despidos colectivos) are legal in Colombia but require strict adherence to specific conditions outlined in Law 50 of 1990.
A layoff is deemed collective when a determined percentage of staff is dismissed without just cause within a six-month period, with percentages varying by company size.
Legal mass layoffs necessitate demonstrable economic, technical, operational, or administrative causes, supported by financial and verifiable documents.
Prior authorization from the Ministry of Labor is mandatory for any mass layoff to be considered legal.
Even with authorization, mass layoffs are not considered a just cause for termination, meaning affected workers are entitled to compensation equivalent to a dismissal without just cause.
Companies can explore alternatives to mass layoffs, such as voluntary retirement plans, function reassignment, or temporary workload reductions.

Continuar leyendo el artículo original