Business groups and employers in Colombia have proposed an increase of about 8 percent to the minimum wage for 2027. Labor union federations have put forward 38.5 percent. The discussion is set to begin formally this month, in November 2026.
The gap between the two proposals
The distance between the two proposals is wide. Employers’ figure would take the legal monthly minimum wage from 1,750,905 pesos to about 1,890,977 pesos. The unions’ figure would take it to about 2,425,003 pesos. Those projections cover the basic wage only.
Estimates of the hourly wage also differ sharply. Under the current minimum wage, the ordinary hourly wage is 8,338 pesos. An 8 percent rise would bring it to about 9,005 pesos, while a 38.5 percent rise would bring it to 11,548 pesos.
Working week and calculation basis
The calculations rely on the 42-hour legal working week, which has applied since 15 July 2026 under Ley 2101 de 2021. The hourly figures use a divisor of 210 hours per month.
The figures exclude transportation allowance, night, Sunday and holiday surcharges, social security contributions and other employer costs. Those items would add to what employers pay on top of the basic wage.
Related: Healey won't guarantee under-20s minimum wage pledge
