Chilean Labour Reform Overview

On August 19th, Chilean Congress approved, with 22 votes in favour and 14 opposing, a Labour Reform that will modify significantly the current provisions addressing unions and collective bargaining proceedings. A deadline was set to provide comments and amendments by September 7th.

Below we have addressed the more significant changes that come with the reform and what are their true implications from a legal perspective

Expanding coverage of collective bargaining proceedings.

This particular change is directed in order to incorporate workers - that were previously forbidden to negotiate collectively - in collective bargaining proceedings. Now workers under apprenticeship contracts, workers hired temporarily to execute specific works as well as those who do not have express powers of representation and do not perform administration tasks will be able to negotiate collectively and become union members.