President Gustavo Petro urged the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio to probe unjustified increases in goods and services tied to the recent vital salary hike. In a televised Council of Ministers, he criticized practices exploiting the 23.7% salary rise to inflate costs in areas like education and building management.
During a televised Council of Ministers, President Gustavo Petro discussed the country's fiscal situation and the effects of the 23.7% vital salary increase. He stressed the importance of providing Colombians with clear information on prices and renewed his appeal to the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) to investigate excessive hikes in goods and services.
Petro noted that certain sectors are using the salary rise to justify undue increases, labeling it as opportunism. "A vital salary is now in effect and there's a whole fuss about prices going up," the president stated, calling for sanctions against those responsible. "The superintendent of Commerce must take note," he added.
He cited the education sector, where private school tuition rises by 23%, yet psychologists' pay increases by only 5%. "Every public or private school must have a psychology service... free. [...] They're stealing money from parents; it's that simple," he said. Similar issues arise in building management firms and other areas.
The president upheld the salary boost as key to ensuring decent living standards. "Vital salary means just that: being able to buy enough for life," he explained, linking it to the Social State of Law principle. He warned that overturning the decree would signal disregard for wages that support a dignified existence.