Colombia’s Foreign Ministry Announces Creation of 544 New Jobs to Address Airport Delays

In a conclusive decision aimed at addressing the operational inefficiencies and labor disputes in the country’s migration services, Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the creation of 544 new jobs within Migración Colombia, the special unit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dealing with immigration control of nationals and foreigners. The initiative responds to longstanding union demands and aims to ensure smooth service for travelers, particularly after a recent labor protest caused widespread delays at major airports.

Esto sucede a esta hora en el @BOG_ELDORADO en Migracion
Inaudito pic.twitter.com/Z6DQ0P2BRq

— JQ (@drjairoquintana) August 15, 2023

Over the past few years travelers entering Colombia have faced wait times of three to four hours at key airports, including Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport and José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro. These delays were the result of a critical shortage of personnel, leaving migration officers unable to process the increasing flow of passengers efficiently.

The problem escalated during peak travel seasons, exposing vulnerabilities in Colombia’s ability to manage its growing role as a tourist and business destination. The surge in tourism, celebrated as a sign of Colombia’s economic and cultural growth, placed additional pressure on already understaffed migration offices.

On December 3, 2024, the two main unions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs —the Union Nacional Sindical de Empleados de Migración Colombia y Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (UNASEMIG) and the Organización Sindical de Empleados de Migración Colombia (OSEMCO)— declared a strike. This protest, described as a “plan tortuga” or work slowdown, led to chaos at major airports and sparked widespread criticism. Travelers faced hours-long delays, prompting urgent intervention by government officials.

The unions cited unfulfilled promises made in 2023, when a decree added 123 new jobs to the migration workforce, leaving over 500 positions unaddressed. The unions also demanded better working conditions and technical training for employees, arguing that the current staffing levels were insufficient to handle the nation’s migration demands.

“Immigration officers are not even able to eat, they cannot go to the bathroom,” said Yeison Mesa, president of OSEMCO, to Blu Radio.

A Swift Response from the Foreign Ministry

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo acted quickly, meeting with union representatives to negotiate a resolution. During the discussions, they addressed the staffing shortage, technical capacity-building measures, and improvements in employee working conditions.

“The dialogue always will be the way forward,” said Murillo. In a X/Twitter post, he praised the role of migration officers, noting their contributions to controlling migratory flows and promoting tourism. “The growth of tourism has been significant in recent months, and it is thanks to the collective effort of everyone involved,” he added.

On December 5, 2024, the government issued a decree modifying previous legislation regarding Migration Colombia’s workforce. This decree officially created 544 new positions that are expected to avoid delays and improve the experience for both domestic and international travelers.

“The leaders of the two unions agreed to stop the protests after the meeting” expressed Martha Hernandez, Director of Migration Colombia, via Twitter/X.

The newly created jobs will begin integrating into the migration workforce in 2025. Officials anticipate that the added personnel will significantly reduce wait times at airports, improving operational efficiency and enhancing Colombia’s reputation as a welcoming travel destination.

Headline photo: El Dorado Airport. (Photo: Carolina Cuervo)