The government of José Antonio Kast withdrew from Chile's Comptroller General the approval of Decree No. 10 amending the Ley Karin regulation on investigations into sexual harassment, labor harassment, and workplace violence. The measure, submitted days before the handover by the Gabriel Boric administration, aims to review its implementation due to technical observations. Labor Undersecretary Gustavo Rosende stated that the law remains fully in force and no obligations are being weakened.
Last Friday, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare withdrew Decree No. 10 from the Comptroller General, prepared by the Labor Undersecretariat during the Gabriel Boric government. The initiative stemmed from monitoring the first year of Ley Karin, enacted two years ago, which identified tensions from high volumes of complaints in institutional procedures.
Labor Undersecretary Gustavo Rosende told La Tercera: «The law remains fully in force and no obligations are being weakened. What we are doing is reviewing a decree submitted in the final days of the previous government to ensure a new regulation that is effectively implemented and truly protects people».
The move prompted mixed reactions in Congress. Deputy Héctor Ulloa (PPD-Independientes) supported the review but warned: «They will not allow modifications to the regulation that weaken victim protection», and requested explanations in the Labor Committee. Deputy Ana María Gazmuri criticized on X: «It is not a technical adjustment: it weakens victim protection. Unacceptable».
Government-aligned deputies backed the action. Erich Grohs (PNL) called it «a sign of responsibility» to ensure legal certainty. Ximena Ossandón (RN), a co-author of the law, noted aspects needing adjustment for better effectiveness and urged avoiding scandals. Constanza Hube (UDI) and Mario Olavarría (UDI) agreed it is logical to review inherited regulations, though Olavarría noted concerns over lack of prior information.
