It will be announced this Tuesday, December 24.
News Colombia.
This Tuesday, December 24, Colombians will know the percentage increase in the minimum wage for the year 2025, which will be defined by the national government after failing to reach a consensus between unions, unions and the State.
The meetings of the Concertation Commission, which sought to establish this important economic indicator, ended without agreement, which led the Executive to assume responsibility for determining the adjustment.
The negotiation table was marked by profound differences between the proposals of the actors involved.
While unions defended a double-digit increase, equivalent to 12%, employers promoted a more moderate increase, arguing that a high increase could have negative effects on formal employment.
These were the figures that were put on the table:
- Unitary Central of Workers (CUT): increase of 12%, equivalent to $1,456,000.
- Acopi (Colombian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises): increase of 6.83%, equivalent to $1,388,790.
- Business associations: 5.2% adjustment, equivalent to $1,367,000.
Finance Minister Diego Guevara provided his perspective during the negotiations and suggested that the increase could be around 6.8%, a figure based on projected inflation (5.1%) and increased productivity (1 .75%).
This percentage would represent an increase of 88,400 pesos, leaving the minimum wage at $1,388,400.
An increase in the minimum wage by decree, a repeated trend
This scenario of lack of consensus is not new in Colombia. In 2023, the minimum wage was also set by presidential decree following the parties’ inability to reach an agreement.
In that year, the increase was $162,000, placing the minimum wage at $1,300,000, plus a transportation allowance of $162,000.
The official announcement for 2025 is scheduled for 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 24, in an event led exclusively by members of President Gustavo Petro’s cabinet.
Neither the unions nor the unions will be present in this communication, which marks a unilateral closure of the consultation process.
Social and economic impact of the increase
The adjustment of the minimum wage is a crucial issue that directly impacts millions of Colombians who depend on this income as their main livelihood.
In addition, it has broader economic implications, such as the adjustment of prices in regulated sectors, pressure on informality and the influence on business competitiveness.
The Government’s challenge will be to balance the expectations social with the needs of businessmen and the macroeconomic stability of the country.
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