Closure of D1 store in Bogotá triggers Ministry of Labor crackdown on low-cost supermarkets

The temporary closure of a D1 store in Engativá, Bogotá, marked the beginning of a series of inspections by the Ministry of Labor of low-cost supermarkets in Colombia.

The measure, adopted at the end of June after discovering physical and biological risks to workers, has raised alarm bells in the retail sector and highlighted the tougher government action on labor issues.

The closure was based on Article 2.2.4.11.12 of Decree 1072 of 2015, which authorizes the Executive Branch to take preventive measures when conditions are identified that may threaten the safety of workers.

The operation was carried out in a store located in the Las Ferias neighborhood , and the decision became effective on June 20, 2025.

The Director of Inspection, Surveillance, and Control at the Ministry of Labor, Sandra Milena Muñoz Cañas, warned that this is not an isolated case.

" We're going to review other workplaces and other stores that are part of large retail chains ," said the official, who emphasized that the closure of the D1 store is just one of more than 78 measures recently adopted nationwide.

He explained that these actions seek to enforce the new guidelines established by the labor reform, already approved by President Gustavo Petro.

According to the Ministry of Labor's statement, during an inspection visit, risks were identified in areas such as cleanliness and shelf organization , which could directly affect the health of employees.

The measure, adopted pursuant to Decree 1072 of 2015 on Occupational Health and Safety, seeks to prevent harm to the physical integrity of staff while the necessary adjustments are made.

The Ministry clarified that this restriction is temporary and will be lifted once compliance with the required standards is confirmed . The verification will be carried out by the Ministry of Labor itself, which will conduct a new technical assessment on-site.

The affected store is part of the D1 supermarket chain, which operates nationwide.

*This content was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on publicly available information released to media outlets. It was also reviewed by a journalist and an editor.