Measures for the provision of the service by “MinTrabajo”

On the containment phase of the COVID-19 virus and the declaration of sanitary emergency, on March 17, 2020, the Ministry of Labor issued Resolution 0784, which establishes the transitory measures adopted by this entity for the continuity of the service, these being the following:

1. Suspension of procedural terms:

The terms are suspended in all proceedings and actions under the jurisdiction of: (i) the Vice Ministry of Labor Relations and Inspection; (ii) the Directorates of Inspection, Surveillance, Control and Territorial Management, of Labor Risks, of the Internal Disciplinary Control Office, of the Territorial Directorates; and (iii) the Special Offices and Labor and Social Security Inspections. Said measure interrupts the expiration and prescription terms of the processes carried out by this Ministry under the jurisdiction of the aforementioned offices.

2. Suspension of functions involving travel or physical contact:

Within such functions are framed inspection visits, conciliation hearings and findings. If any of these activities have already been scheduled, they shall be postponed, and the parties shall be notified of this decision.

3. Suspension of activities related to the mobile inspection program and the issuance of certificates:

The mobile offices aimed at achieving the dissemination and promotion of labor guarantees, especially in the rural sector, suspend their activities.

Likewise, the activities related to the issuance of certificates of competence of the Internal Work Group of the Union Archive that require original signature are suspended.

4. Attention to citizens:

The following measures were adopted in this regard:

a. Attention to the public in person at the territorial directorates, special offices and central offices of the Ministry is suspended.

b. All customer service will continue to be provided by telephone and virtually through the channels enabled for such purpose, which may be consulted in detail in the Resolution.

Without detriment to the foregoing, it is mentioned that the different departments must adopt the necessary measures to ensure that there is always a group of labor and social security inspectors and other employees to attend to the different formalities and procedures submitted to the entity, such as the responses to the rights of petition and tutela actions.

In conclusion, although it is true that the measures adopted by this entity limit to a great extent the attention to the different requirements and matters within its competence, these are more than reasonable considering the difficult situation that the country is currently facing due to the worldwide pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus.