BOGOTA, June 21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro called off plans for a controversial referendum on his trademark labor reforms after Congress adopted an amended version of the bill following months of debates and protests.

After months of wrangling, the lower house Chamber of Representatives backed changes made to the bill by the Senate, clearing the way for the text -- a centerpiece of Petro's agenda -- to become law.

The legislation marks a rare victory for Colombia's first left-wing president who has struggled to garner political support for his reforms since winning power in 2022.

With little more than a year left in his four-year term, the ex-guerrilla is racing to fulfill key pledges and cement his political legacy.

The Senate earlier this week approved the bill, which ends the working day at 6:00 pm instead of 9:00 pm, extends social security to some informal workers and creates a pension fund for farmers.

It also provides for workers to be paid extra for working nights, Sundays or public holidays.

The Chamber of Representatives, which had already backed the bill in October, endorsed the compromise text in a 126-2 vote.

Several opposition MPs abstained.

Petro hailed the compromise as the "first victory in 34 years" for Colombian workers and said he would repeal his decree calling for a referendum on the reforms, saying it was "no longer necessary."

The Senate had previously rejected the labor bill in April, but it was revived after Petro warned he would declare a referendum to put the measure to a public vote.

The bill was approved in the absence of opposition senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, who is fighting for his life in the hospital after being shot while campaigning in Bogota on June 7.