President Gustavo Petro has decreed the minimum wage increase for 2026 under the 'vital minimum wage' concept, inspired by ILO standards, after failed negotiations between the government, businesses, and workers. This approach aims to ensure sufficient income for a dignified life for workers and their families, beyond merely offsetting inflation.
After nearly a month of discussions without agreement at the concertation table, President Gustavo Petro announced the 2026 wage adjustment via presidential decree. The measure introduces the term 'vital minimum wage' for the first time in Colombia's wage policy, aligning with International Labour Organization (ILO) recommendations.
The legal deadline for consensus among the parties expired on December 15, per Law 278 of 1996. With no agreement, the government took charge of setting the increase, with a deadline of December 30. Petro stressed that 'the wage is familial, not individual, and that concept is in the decree,' noting that one income often supports an entire family.
The ILO defines the vital wage as the amount needed to cover a dignified standard of living, considering the local economic context and a standard workday. It encompasses essential components such as nutritious food, decent housing with public services, access to health and social security, education, and transportation. This model balances workers' needs with factors like productivity and employment.
Article 53 of the Political Constitution supports this view, requiring a minimum, vital, and mobile remuneration for dignified conditions. The government suggests assessing the family basic basket, including not just food but also education and services, to promote equity and fundamental rights like health and housing.
Implementing this concept poses a challenge: balancing purchasing power with economic sustainability and labor formalization, while encouraging social dialogue and inclusive growth.
