A Colombian high court on Wednesday suspended a decree by President Gustavo Petro that sought to call a controversial referendum on his proposed labor reform, the latest setback for Petro's beleaguered effort to broadly expand worker benefits.

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombia's Council of State on Wednesday suspended a decree by President Gustavo Petro that sought to call a referendum on a labor reform, citing lack of Senate authorization.

One of Colombia’s highest courts blocked President Gustavo Petro’s proposal to hold a referendum on boosting labor rights. Petro had sought the vote for Aug. 7, anticipating a a big show of public support for measures such as boosting overtime pay and making it harder to fire workers.