Following the Council of State's suspension of the original decree, the Colombian government issued Decree 0159 on February 19, 2026, provisionally setting the 2026 minimum wage at $1,750,905—a 23% increase from 2025—plus a $249,095 transport subsidy, totaling nearly $2 million. The measure affects 2.4 million workers (impacting ~10 million people) and awaits a final Council ruling.
Colombian government issues new transitory decree for 2026 minimum wage after suspension
In response to the Council of State's precautionary suspension of Decree 1469 (December 29, 2025)—which had set the same wage level—the Ministry of Labor published Decree 0159 on February 19, 2026. This provisional measure maintains the monthly minimum wage at $1,750,905 (up 23% from $1,423,500 in 2025) and the transport subsidy at $249,095, for a total of nearly $2 million. The decree stems from a salary concertation table and is pending a ruling on the nullity process in the Council's Contentious Administrative Chamber.
Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino emphasized during mobilizations: “That decree will maintain the vital salary of Colombian workers and argue the articulation between the law and the prevalent character of the vital and mobile salary established in article 53 of the Political Constitution.”
The increase follows Law 278 of 1996, incorporating 5.3% inflation, 0.91% productivity, 2.81% salary contribution to national income, and 2.9% projected 2025 GDP growth (totaling 13.9%), plus a 9.4% adjustment to narrow the gap between the vital basket ($873,441 per ILO standards) and minimum wage basket ($711,750), weighted 59%/41%. A 4.54% gap remains.
Impacts span education (tuitions, SENA), health (copays), housing (VIS/VIP), fines, and insurance (SOAT). Economist David Cubides of Banco de Occidente noted indirect effects on non-indexed services like transport and restaurants. Asofondos highlighted pension strains, with lifetime annuities rising 57% (to $550 million), tied to productivity or 35% average IPC.
