The executive branch in Peru is preparing a legislative request to delegate powers to the administration of President Keiko Fujimori, according to an initial government document reviewed by this media outlet. The draft proposal includes transferring the direction and control of prisons to the Armed Forces, allowing private companies to manage penitentiaries, executing a state reform through the merger and dissolution of public agencies, and implementing a labor flexibility package.
Cabinet Deliberations and Emergency Climate Measures
Sources close to the Government Palace indicated that the draft lacks full backing from all members of the Ministerial Cabinet, leaving several points requiring further reflection. Minister of Labor Roberto Sheput stated in declarations to El Comercio that the Cabinet will continue reviewing the request for powers on Sunday, giving priority to citizen security and the El Niño phenomenon (FEN). Sheput noted that the second session of the Cabinet is likely to approve the initial emergency decrees to address the climate emergency caused by FEN. Sheput juró on July 28 as Minister of Labor, a post he occupies for the third time, having previously served under Alejandro Toledo and Manuel Merino.
Addressing the leaked document, Minister Sheput emphasized that it is merely a discussion draft and clarified that holidays will neither be increased nor eliminated. The minister pointed to administrative teams from the previous government of José María Balcázar as responsible for the leak, expressing personal frustration over the incident. Meanwhile, Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation Marco Venilli told radio Exitosa that the Cabinet will convene again on Sunday to approve the final or definitive version of the delegation request, incorporating more details regarding the role of the Armed Forces in prisons.
Labor Regulation and Youth Employment Debates
President Keiko Fujimori addressed public criticism surrounding the draft project’s inclusion of a youth employment regime, which critics compared to the repealed “ley pulpín” enacted during Ollanta Humala’s administration for workers aged 18 to 24. Fujimori stated that no labor rights will be cut, reiterating remarks from her message to the Nation. Minister Sheput similarly affirmed that any modifications to the labor regime will respect labor rights while correcting regulatory defects that have blocked necessary business flexibility.
Did You Know? President Keiko Fujimori offered statements on labor regulations after visiting the tomb of her father, the late former president Alberto Fujimori, in Huachipa, accompanied by former Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad, with whom Fujimori signed a peace agreement in 1997.
Congressional representatives voiced varied positions on the anticipated executive request. Congress President Miguel Torres (Fuerza Popular) called for calm while the Council of Ministers finalizes the text to foster legislative unity against criminality. Conversely, Senator Jaime Delgado (Ahora Nación) termed the executive’s ambitions “very exagerada” and demanded an acotada and specific request rather than a blank check. Deputy Ernesto Zunini (Juntos por el Perú) expressed concern over potential mass layoffs and tax exemptions arising from the state and economic reforms.
Legislative Review and Parliamentary Hurdles
Parliamentary experts Martin Cabrera and Alejandro Rospigliosi estimated that Congress could decide on the delegation request between mid- and late-September. Cabrera explained that the executive faces a double political negotiation across both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, noting that the Senate’s committee review period can extend up to 90 business days. Rospigliosi noted that parliamentary committees across both chambers will install around mid-August, setting up a likely scenario where the Chamber of Deputies approves the request with potential modifications.
Expert Insight: Navigating a bicameral legislature fundamentally alters the executive’s legislative strategy. As legal experts observe, the administration must now negotiate across two separate parliamentary tables and distinct political majorities, transforming legislative time into a key leverage point for the Senate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific security measures are included in the executive’s initial draft?
According to the source document, the executive plan proposes transferring the direction and control of prisons to the Armed Forces and permitting private companies to assume the administration of penitentiaries.
How will the legislative review process proceed in Congress?
The proposal must be presented to the Chamber of Deputies, reviewed by specialized committees such as the Constitution and Economy panels, approved by a simple majority, and subsequently transferred to the Senate for review within a framework overseen by parliamentary regulations.
What has the administration stated regarding potential cuts to labor rights?
President Keiko Fujimori and Minister of Labor Roberto Sheput have both publicly asserted that no labor rights will be reduced or cut under the proposed regulatory updates.
What aspects of the proposed state and economic reforms concern congressional critics the most?
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