Several complaints from users are reported mainly at the El Dorado airport in Bogotá and the José María Córdova airport in Medellín, where Immigration employees are involved in what has been called the “turtle plan” in the country, which consists of delaying service.

The union alleges a staff shortage, estimated at 70 percent, work overload and a governance crisis that, according to them, harms mental and physical health.

According to the director of Immigration, Martha Hernández, the lack of labor in the sector is a problem that has been dragging on for more than a decade. “We barely saw the study of workloads and began to make up for it. 123 new personnel have already joined the company and 544 more officials are still pending to join. This represents a significant fiscal effort,” she said in an interview with local media outlet Blu Radio.

Hernández explained that the employee increase addresses the growing migratory flow and tourism. He acknowledged that regarding this matter negotiations are still ongoing.

The first day of negotiations took place on Wednesday between government officials and unions, but it ended without agreements, so the protest continues.

Given the inability to reach an arrangement, the parties will resume talks in the afternoon.

Due to the situation, the Colombian Civil Aeronautics recommended on social media that passengers arrive at the airports four or five hours in advance.

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