The year 2025 will have a job change in Colombia, with the implementation of some reformssuch as the reduction in working hours and changes in the pension system, due to the recent approval of the pension reform.
Among the most notable changes, starting in July 2025, is the reduction of the work week to 44 hours, with a projection of gradually lowering the day to 42 hours per week by 2026. These will be some of the modifications that workers will have to pay attention to.
Minimum wage adjustment
For their part, as of January 1, 2025, approximately 3.7 million Colombian workers who receive the minimum wage will have an increase in their remuneration. According to the decree of President Gustavo Petro, the minimum wage will achieve an increase of 9.5% by 2025, which translates into an increase of 123,500 pesos.
Starting this new year, the minimum wage will increase, going from $1,300,000 to $1,423,500. Besides, Transportation aid will also achieve an increase of $38,000, reaching its total amount of $200,000.
(See more: How many TransMilenio tickets can be paid with the transportation subsidy?)
What was the value of the minimum wage in the last ten years?
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It is very important to keep in mind that to be a beneficiary of transportation assistance, the following conditions must be met:
– Have up to two minimum salaries.
– Not having access to a transportation service provided by the employer.
– Having to use public transport to travel to the workplace.
Considering the transportation subsidy and the aforementioned, the total minimum wage for 2025 will be $1,623,500.
It is important to note that the stipulated increase will only apply to those workers who earn up to the minimum wage. For those who receive more than this amount, there is no legislation specific that regulates the value of the increase, so it is at the discretion of each employer.
According to Stefano Farné, director of the Labor Market and Social Security Observatory of the Externado de Colombia University, what he recommends for these workers is that their salaries increase by at least the same percentage as the inflation projected for the end of 2024.
(See more: With the increase in the minimum wage, how much should you pay a domestic employee?)
working day
Starting next July 15, 2025, the working hours for Colombians will achieve a reduction to 44 hours per week, with respect to the current working day of 46 hours per week. This modification is framed in Law 2101 of 2021, which establishes the reduction of working hours from 48 to 42 hours by 2026.
Schedule
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The rule will apply to workers with employment contracts in private companies, but it does not affect public servants, except those who work in State companies and are regulated by the Substantive Labor Code. On the other hand, It does not impact the work hours of workers with special schedules.
The schedule for reducing the working day in Colombia is detailed below:
– July 15, 2023: The reduction began with 1 hour less, establishing a maximum of 47 hours weekly work.
– July 15, 2024: A new reduction of 1 hour was implemented, setting the limit at 46 hours weekly.
– July 15, 2025: The working day will be reduced by 2 hours, going to a maximum of 44 hours a week.
– July 15, 2026: The last reduction stage will imply 2 hours less, establishing the day.
According to the standard, the distribution of daily working hours may vary throughout the week, taking into account the following conditions:
– Minimum of 4 continuous hours of daily work.
– Maximum of 9 hours of work per day.
It is important to note that, according to Law 2101, the reduction in working hours will not imply a decrease in the salary or legal benefits of workers.
Changes in pensions
In 2025, Colombia will have a significant change in its pension system. From July 1, 2025, the pension reform will come into force approved by President Gustavo Petro.
(See more: Pensioners: this is how the allowance remained, after the increase in the minimum wage)
This establishes that workers with income between 1 and 2.3 current legal monthly minimum wages will contribute to the Colpensiones public fund. In another instance, those who earn more than 2.3 minimum wages will be able to choose a Pension Fund Administrator to manage the surplus of their contributions. According to the Presidency, these two benefits will be combined to generate a single old-age pension in favor of the worker.
